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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 




nL QL7Q& . u<ft 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




THE KING OF BEASTS. 



FRONTISPIECE. 



[African Lion. — See page 53.] 



{iDgs of flie forest 




AND THEIR KINDRED TRIBES 



Pictures and Stories of the World's Wild Animals, 

COLLECTED AND ARRANGED FOR THE AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION OF 

READERS OF ALL AGES, BUT ESPECIALLY 

•^FOR THE YOUNGS 



BY W^A FOSTER. 




GRIZZLY BEAR. 



PUBLISHED BY THE 

CHARLES FOSTER PUBLISHING CO., 

No. 716 San.som Street, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 



J-3W0 



Y 




GREAT WHITE BEAR (Arctic Regions). 

The food of the White Bear is seals and fish, which it captures in the icywate«ofjh^ Polar Sea. 



(See page 134.) 



COPYRIGHT, l8 9 2, BY W. A. FOSTER. 




PREFACE. 



The appearance and habits of the wild animals that live in the forests 
of our own, and other lands can be known to most of us only through 
books. But our acquaintance with them need not, for this reason, be 
scanty or incomplete : their story is fully told by the many Naturalists 
and Hunters who have visited them in their native forests and studied 
out all their ways. 

While some of these writers have never traveled beyond the boundaries 
of our own land, or perhaps may have even lived near our own homes, 
they yet find much to tell us about wild creatures which we seldom see, 
whose habits, except for the keen sight and patient study of these lovers 
of nature and her works, would never be known. But of far more 
thrilling interest, are the experiences of those who, having journeyed to 
foreign lands, are able, with ready pen and skillful pencil, to picture to 
us the beautiful, the strange — the sometimes hideous forms of savage beasts 
which people the dark solitudes of African and Indian forests. 

It must be said, however, that interesting in part, as these books upon 
Natural History always are, they fail to be attractive, as a whole, to 
many persons, because of the scientific terms which are used in them, 
and the space given to dry disquisitions upon the species and structure 
of animals which, while necessary for the student, are not interesting to 
the average — and especially the young reader, who is usually less con- 
cerned about the ancestry, the bones, or the internal organs of a wild 
beast than in its outward shape and appearance, its habits of life, and 
the methods used by man in capturing or killing it. 



VI 



PRE FA CE. 



It seems, therefore, that there exists a need for a work upon the subject 
which will not be found tedious by young readers, yet will give to them 
accurate information concerning the size, shape, color and general habits 
of the world's wild animals, together with stories of adventure by those 
who have hunted them. 

While the author of this book can make but little claim to originality, 
and none whatever to any new discoveries in the field of Natural Science, 
he hopes that by gathering together, from many sources, that which has seemed 
to him most interesting upon this subject, both of description and story, 
and by giving this in a more condensed form and in simpler language 
than has heretofore been done, accompanied by many pictures, he has 
made a book that will attract, not children alone, but perhaps some older 
persons who have hitherto found but little to interest them in this 
fascinating branch of study. 







INDEX. 



-"■ • PAGE 

Addax 251 

Adive 36 

African Jackal 41 

" Wolf 42 

" Lion and Lioness 57 

" Elephant 158 

Africans Cutting up an Elephant 165 

African Guide 252 

Alpaca 214 

Ant Eater, Cape 284 

" Great 285 

Antelope, Addax 251 

" Bubalis 253 

Black Buck . . 256 

" Chamois 259 

" Eland 255 

" Gazelle 254 

" Gnu 257 

" Koo Doo 247 

" Nilgau , 244 

" Oryx 248 

" Prong-Horn 243 

" Sable 245 

" Water Buck 249 

An Old Tusker ' 160 

Ape, Barbary 30 

Arab Sword Hunters 182 

Arctic Fox 35 

Arctic Scene 135 

7 



8 INDEX. 



PAGE 



Armadillo, Great . . . 286 

Ball „ 287 

Attacked by an Angry Hippopotamus 191 

At the River's Side 188 

Asiatic Elephant 159 

Axis Deer 230 

B. 

Baboon 26 

Babirussa 206 

Baby Elephant 169 

Bactrian Camel 210 

" " Kneeling r , 212 

Badger 118 

Battle in the Stream ." • 185 

Bear, Black : 123 

" Brown 124 

" Grizzly 127 

" " and Cubs 128 

" Malayan „ 125 

" Syrian , 133 

" White 126 

Beaver 281 

Beech Martin 107 

Bhunder Monkey 24 

Big-Horn 262 

Binturong 98 

Bison and Grizzly 129 

Bison 217 

Black Buck 256 

Black Maned Lion 55 

Black Rat , 271 

Black Rhinoceros 173 

Boar, Wild 199 

Boar Breaks Away 205 

Brown Rat 271 

Bubalis 253 

Buffalo, African 219 

" Indian 223 

Bullet just in time 178 

Burchell's Zebra 197 

Bush Hog 198 

C. 

Caca-Mixtli 140 

Cai 31 

Camel, Bactrian 210 

" Dromedary 211 



INDEX. 9 

\ 

PAGE 

Canada Lynx 83 

Cape Buffalo 219 

•• Ant Eater 284 

Capucin Monkey 31 

Capybara 282 

Caracal 85 

Cashmere Goat 270 

Cat, American Wild 79 

Clouded Tiger 70 

Egyptian • 81 

European Wild .' 80 

Marbled 71 

Pampas . , 78 

Viverrine 74 

Chamois 259 

Charge of a Wounded Boar , 202 

Cheetah 82 

Chimpanzee ' 25 

Civet 94 

Coati Mondi 139 

Corsac " 36 

Coyote 39 

Creeping Away 65 

Crested Seal 150 



D. 

Dauw 197 

Death of the Boar 203 

Death of the Guide ' 163 

Deer, Axis 230 

" Elk 237 

" Fallow 235 

" Moose 239 

" " 241 

" Pampas 227 

" Red 229 

" Reindeer , 233 

" Roe 231 

Delundung 97 

Diana Monkey 22 

Dingo 40 

Dragged Ashore 190 

Dromedary • 211 

Duck-Billed Platypus 288 



E. 

Eared Dog ' 38 

Egyptian Cat .81 



10 INDEX. 

PAGE 

Eland 255 

Elephant, African • • J 5% 

" Asiatic *59 

Elephant's Charge upon a Tiger 68 

Elk's Plunge for Life 2 37 

Ermine Io8 

European Lynx °° 

Wolf 47 

Eyra I 6 



Fallow Deer 2 35 

Fatal Shot 26x 

Fennec 37 

Ferret " I0 9 

Fight between Indian Buffaloes 2I 5 

Fin-back Whale T 45 

Fire Hunters Escape the Flames 1 68 

Fire Hunt l6 7 

Flying Squirrel 2 74 

Fox, Arctic 35 

"Red 33 

" Silver 34 

Fur Seal *54 



G. 

Gaur 22 ° 

Gaunt and Hungry 4» 

Gayal 221 

Gazelle 2 54 

Gelada 2§ 

Genet 95 

Giants of the Herd l6 ° 

Gibbon ' ^ ^ 

Giraffe 20 9 

" Feeding from the Ground 2 °8 

Glutton . I21 

Gnu 2 57 

Goat, Cashmere 2 7° 

" Persian Wild 26 7 

" Rocky Mountain 266 

Gorilla *9 

Gorillas in the African Forest 2I 

Gray Wolf " 45 

Great Weasel IDI 

Great White Bear 4 

Grizzly Bear 3 



INDEX. 11 

PAGE 

Grizzly Hear 127 

" and Cubs 128 

Ground Hog 279 

Guanaco 213 

Guereza Monkey 20 



Hare 275 

Harp Seal 149 

Hartebeest 253 

Help comes just in time 131 

Hippopotamus ,. 183 

187 

Home of the Jaguar 89 

Hunt on Horseback 1 79 

Hyenas eating bones 52 

Hyena, Spotted 49 

Striped 50 



I. 

Ibex 269 

Ichneumon 115 

" Indian 116 

Indian Buffalo 223 

" Rhinoceros 174 

- 177 



J. 

Jackal, African „ 41 

Jaguar 87 

" and Monkeys 91 

Jungle Cat 78 



K. 

Kahau 18 

Kalan 114 

Kangaroo , 143 

" leaping 144 

Keitloa 173 

King of Beasts 2 

Kinkajou .102 

Koo Doo 247 



12 INDEX. 

■L-- PAGE 

Leopard 69 

" Hunting , • 82 

" Seal 15 x 

Lion 2 

" African 57 

" Barbary 53 

" Black Maned 55 

Lioness 59 

Llama 2I 3 

Long-nosed Monkey ■ l8 

Luwack 9° 

Lynx Canada 83 

" Caracal 85 

" European , 86 

" Pardine 84 

M. 

Mampalon IT 7 

Maned Sheep of Atlas Mountains 26 5 

Marbled Cat .... 7 1 

Martin, Beech • ■ io 7 

Pine Io6 

Malayan, or Sun Bear I2 5 

Meeting for a Boar Hunt 2 °° 

Mexican Raccoon x 4° 

Weasel io2 

Mink IQ 4 

Mongoos IZ " 

Monkey, Barbary Ape 3° 

Baboon 26 

" Capucin 3 1 

" Chimpanzee 2 5 

Diana . . . 22 

Gelada ' 28 

Gibbon J 7 

Gorilla '" x 9 

a it 21 

" Guereza 2 ° 

" Long-Nosed r8 

" Macaque 2 7 

" Magot 3° 

Mandrill 2 9 

Orang Outan 22 

" Rhesus 2 4 

Moose 2 39 

Mountain Lion 93 

Mouflon 26 4 

Musk Ox 22 5 

Musk Rat • 2 7 2 



INDEX. 13 

\ 

JX. PACI 

Natives' Watch Tower 171 

Nilgau 244 



O. 

Ocelot 72 

on the watch , 73 

Otocyon -. 38 

Off at full speed 201 

Opossum 141 

Orang-Outan 23 

Oryx 248 

Otter, Common 113 

Sea 114 



P. 

Pampas Cat 78 

" Deer 227 

Panda 119 

Panther 93 

Paradoxure 96 

Pardine Lynx 84 

Pharaoh's Rat 115 

Pine Martin 106 

Polar Bear 126 

Polecat ' no 

Pool in Central Africa 189 

Porcupine 283 

Prairie Dog 277 

Prong-Horn Antelope 243 

Puma 93 



Q. 

Quagga 196 



R. 

Rabbit 276 

Raccoon 138 

" Mexican 140 

Red Deer 229 

"Fox 33 

" Wolf 46 



14 INDEX. 

PAGE 

Rat, Black 271 

" Brown 271 

" Musk 272 

Reindeer 233 

Rhesus Monkey 24 

Rimau-Dahan 70 

Rhinoceros, Black 173 

" 175 

" Indian 174 

" " 177 

" Trapped 181 

Rocky Mountain Goat 266 

Roe Deer 231. 

Rorqual 145 

Royal Tiger 61 

S. 

Sable, American 106 

" European = . . . 105 

" Antelope . . . 245 

Scene in Southern Africa 51 

Sea Lion 148 

" Otter 114 

Seal, Crested . ; 15° 

Elephant 152 

Fur 154 

Harp 149 

Leopard 151 

Rookery 153 

Serval 75 

Sheep, Big Horn .- 262 

" Maned, of the Atlas Mountains 265 

Mouflon 264 

" of Turkestan 263 

Silver Fox 34 

Skeleton of an Elephant x 57 

Skunk in 

South American Weasel IO ° 

Sperm Whale U7 

Spoiling for a fight J 75 

Spotted Hyena . 49 

Squirrel 2 73 

Flying 274 

Stand-up fight 1 7 2 

Stoat 108 

Striped Hyena 5° 

Sun Bear I2 5 

Suricat io 3 

Syrian Bear - I 33 



INDEX. 15 

1 • PAGE 

Tapir, Malayan 194 

South American 193 

Tayra 101 

Teledu 112 

Tiger 61 

" charged by an Elephant 68 

creeping away 65 

'• comes out of its hiding place 66 

hunters mounted on Elephant 62 

" springs upon Elephant 63 

" and Tigress 64 

" turns aside into the grass 67 

Trapped Rhinoceros 181 

Two-Horned Black Rhinoceros 173 



V. 

Vicuna 214 

Viverrine Cat 74 



W. 

Walrus 155 

Wart-Hog 207 

Water Buck 249 

" Mole 288 

Weasel ' 99 

" South American ; 100 

Whale, Fin-Back 145 

" Sperm 147 

White Bear 4 

" 126 

" " and Walrus 137 

White-Throated Martin 107 

Wild Boar 199 

" Cat, American 79 

" " European 80 

" Goat of Persia 267 

" Sheep of Turkestan 263 

Wolf, African 42 

" Common 43 

" European 47 

" Gray 45 

" Red 46 

Wolves attacking a wounded Moose 241 

Wolverine 121 

Wood-Chuck 279 



IQ INDEX. 

"V. PAGE 

Yaguarondi •' 7 7 

Yak 224 

Zebra *95 

" Burchell's . *97 

Zebu 222 

Zibeth 97 




THE FOUR-HANDED TRIBE. 



17 




GIBBON MONKEYS. 

A shy and timid species. Very abundant in the hill 
countries of India. Height 2 l / 2 feet; color black and 
white. 

Monkeys. 

In countries where the air is 
warm, and the sun shines brightly 
almost the whole year round, 
there are many creatures called 
monkeys. They are sometimes 
called four-handed animals because 
they can grasp the branches of trees with both feet and hands. 

There are a great many different kinds of monkeys ; some are so large 
and fierce that they can easily kill a man with their sharp teeth and 
strong claws. Others are so small and timid that if a man should go 
into the forest where they live, they would quickly run up to the tops of 
the tallest trees and hide in their branches. The Gibbons are of this 
kind. They are not very large, and are so light and nimble that they 



18 



THE FOUR-HANDED TRIBE. 



can leap from tree to tree, even when quite a long distance separates 
them. 

They do not merely walk or run about upon the branches, but swing 
themselves along by hanging to the boughs with their long arms. Hand 
over hand like a sailor, and from the end of one slender branch to 
another, they dash about overhead and move so swiftly as to seem almost 
to fly through the air, yet never miss their hold or fall to the ground. 

The largest and fiercest of the 
monkey tribe is the Gorilla, 
and of all the wild beasts that 
roam the dark forests of Africa, 
none have aroused more curi- 
osity, and at the same time 
dread, on the part of the hunter. 
The Gorilla is of the ape 
species. It lives in the loneliest 
and darkest parts of the African 
jungle, and is seldom seen by 
white men. When this great 
beast stands erect, it is as tall 
as a man, but it has vastly 
more strength in its hairy arms 
and ugly jaws than any man 
ever had. 

One blow of its huge paw 
will crush the skull, and its 
great jaws, with their powerful 
teeth, are strong enough to dent 
a gun barrel. It is the rule of 
the Gorilla hunter not to fire 
until the animal is so near as 
to make his aim certain, for if the hunter fires and misses, the Gorilla at 
once rushes upon him, and this attack no man can resist. 

One blow of that black paw, with its bony claws, and the poor hunter 
lies crushed upon the ground. There have been negroes, who, in such 
cases, made desperate by their danger, have faced the Gorilla and struck 
at him with the empty gun. They had but time for one harmless blow; 




KAHAU, OR LONG-NOSED MONKEY. 

Common in the forests of Borneo. Height three feet ; color sandy brown 




GORILLA. [19] 

The largest of the monkey tribe. Height, $ l / z feet; color, black. It is found only in the dense forests of Western Africa. 



20 



THE FOUR-HANDED TRIBE. 



the next moment the terrible paw came down with fatal force, breaking" 

musket and skull at the same time. Probably no animal is more 
dangerous when attacking man than the Gorilla, for it meets him face to 
face, and uses its arms as weapons, just as a prize-fighter would ; but 
its arms are longer and its strength far greater than the strongest 

^ boxer that ever lived. 

Now as the Gorilla is found 
only in the depths of the 
darkest woods, it is difficult 
for the hunter to get sight 
of it. There are so many 
tangled branches and vines on 
everv side that but little can 
be seen. 

When, however, by accident 
or good management, he does 
come upon the fierce beasts, 
which are generally found in 
pairs, sitting at the foot or 
in the lower branches of some 
huge tree, he need have no 
fear of his prey running 
away from him. With eyes 
that sparkle with anger the 
male Gorilla rises to his full 
height, and, beating his broad 
breast with his hairy arms, 
utters a frightful roar. The 
hunter must now await his 
coming, as with clumsy, 
waddling gait he approaches. 

A small and gentle monkey much valued for the beauty of its fur, which Wa.itin°" Until the animal 

is long and silky. This species is found in Abyssinia ; its color is partly &> 

jet black and partly pure white, as shown in the picture. 2S within fifteen OT twentV 

feet, the hunter then raises his gun ; the opportunity has come at last ; a 
moment's careful aim is taken at the broad breast, and the trigger pulled. 
But if the bullet does not strike the mark the hunter must fight for his 
life, face to face, and can only hope by some lucky chance to escape 
instant destruction. 

Fortunately the Gorilla dies as quickly as a man ; a shot in the breast 




«*%Y^\*-\^- 



THE GUEREZA. 




GORILLAS IN THE AFRICAN FOREST. 



[21] 



22 



THE FOUR-HANDED TRIBE. 



fairly delivered, is sure to bring him down. He falls forward on his face 
with long powerful arms outstretched, and with his last breath utters a 
terrible yell, which, while it means safety to the hunter, yet makes him 
tremble at its savage power. 

Although Gorillas have long sharp teeth, and such great strength as 

would enable them to kill 
almost any animal of the forest 
where they live; they are not 
meat eaters, but live upon nuts 
and berries of various kinds. 
The wild sugar cane is also a 
favorite food. 



The Orang-Outan is not as 
big as the gorilla, nor so fierce, 
but it is also large and strong, 
with long hairy arms and 
sharp teeth. While of a quiet 
disposition when not disturbed, 
it is a dangerous animal when 
aroused to anger. It is a great 
climber and can dash about 
among the branches of the tall 
trees in which it lives, with 
ease and freedom. 

When hunters want to cap- 
ture alive a full grown Orang- 




DIANA MONKEYS; Africa. 



This species is remarkable for the varied colors of its fur: the back is dark /"\ n f. an f ViP'u firQt mt" Hnwn tVlP 
brown, the under parts bright orange, the beard pure white, and other portions WUld.ll, lUCV 11131. CUL uuvvu me 
are marked with bands of black and gray. Length of body 2 feet* !„„„(. SlirrOlin diflO" thf animal 

Having thus prevented its escaping on their branches, they then fell the 
tree on which it is seated and endeavor to secure it before it has recovered 
from the shock of the fall. 



Hunting the Orang-Outan. 

The following story told by a hunter, shows the strong affection that 

monkeys have for their young : We were once out on a shooting expedition 

in the Island of Sumatra, when we saw, in some trees which were just 

outside of a dense forest, a large female orang-outan with her young one. 

*In giving "length of body," the measurement always includes the head of the animal. 




ORANG-OUTAN (meaning wild man of the woods). 

Found only in the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. It is one of the largest and most powerful of the apes, reaching a height 
of nearly five feet. It is almost entirely a tree dweller, and of shy nature. In color it is reddish-brown. [23] 



24 



AN ORANG-OUTAN HUNT. 



We at once commenced pursuit, and in the hope of obtaining so fine a 
specimen, forgot everything but the prize before us. 

We urged on the native guides, and offered them a reward if successful 
in overtaking the fleeing animal, which had by this time seen us, and was 
trying to reach a place to hide. 

Thus encouraged, the men followed up the chase: the Orang-Outan 
carrying her young one in her arms, put forth great efforts to reach the 
darkest portion of the forest, springing from tree to tree, and endeavoring 
by every means to escape from her pursuers. 







RHESUS, OR BHUNDER MONKEYS. 

Common in India, where they are considered sacred by the natives who never molest them, no matter how much damage they may 
do to their fruit and crops. ' Length of body 2 feet ; color olive green, brown and yellow. 

Several shots were fired, and at length one took fatal effect, the ball 
entering the right side of the chest. Feeling herself mortally wounded, 
and with the blood gushing from her mouth, she from that moment 
seemed to have no care for her own safety, but, with a true mothers 
instinct, exerted all her dying strength to save her young. 

Now she threw it onward, from branch to branch, taking the most 
desperate leaps after it herself, and again helping it forward until, the 




CHIMPANZEE. 

The most interesting and intelligent of the apes. It is frequently shown in menageries, and can be taught to imitate many human habits. 
Several have been brought to this country while young ; but they do not usually live very long, as the climate is too cold for them. 

The Chimpanzee is found in Africa. Its height is 4^ feet ; color, black, excepting the face, which is grayish-white. [26] 



26 



AN ORANG-OUTAN HUNT. 



thickest part of the woods being nearly gained, the chances of its escape 
were nearly sure. All this time the blood was flowing from her wound, 
but her efforts were unabated, and it was only when her young one was 
on the point of gaining a place of safety that she rested on one of the 
topmost branches of a gigantic tree. True in her affection, even to the 
last, she turned for a moment to gaze after her little one, then her hold 
relaxed and she fell head foremost to the ground. 






Wwm 







4BU 



COMMON BABOON. 

Found throughout Africa ; length three feet ; color brown. These animals live in large herds, and will unite in driving away any 
trespassers upon their rocky home, by throwing down on them sticks and stones. 

The sight was so touching that it called forth the pity of the whole 
party. The eagerness of the chase was forgotten; and so deep an 
impression did the unexpected tenderness and self-devotion of the poor 
animal make on the hunter who tells the story, that he resolved never 
again to level a gun at one of the monkey tribe. 




MACAQUES. 

These monkeys are very numerous in India, and are of a lively, harmless nature. They are frequently caught and sent to other 
countries for exhibition in menageries and shows. Length, two feet; color, brown. [27] 



28 



THE SHIP ' S MONKE Y. 



When caught before they are fully grown, and kindly treated, monkeys can 
be taught many amusing tricks. On shipboard they are often to be found 
and are great pets with the sailors. A passenger tells of this experience: — 

We had a monkey, of the Diana species, on board, which had been 
bought by the. cook of the vessel in which I sailed from Africa, and was 




,./ .s-vu / ^vi^ywwo 

THE CELADA. 

A species of Baboon found in the mountains of Abyssinia; length about 3 feet; color brown. They sometimes come down from 
the rocky heights upon which they live, and do much damage to fields of ripening grain. 

considered his exclusive property. At first "Jack's" place was close to the 
-calaboose" or kitchen, but as his education progressed he was gradually 
allowed an increase of liberty, till at last he enjoyed the range of the 
whole ship, except the cabins. 



THE SHIP'S MONKEY. 



29 



I had embarked with more than a mere dislike to monkeys — it was 
absolute antipathy; and although I often laughed at Jack's freaks, still I 
kept out oi his way, till a circumstance brought with it a closer acquaint- 
ance, and cured me of my aversion. Our latitude was three degrees 
south, and we only proceeded by occasional tornadoes, the intervals of 
which were tilled up by dead calms and bright weather. When these 
occurred during the day the helm was frequently lashed, and all the 
watch went below. 













THE MANDRILL. 

Length about 3 feet. The faces and thighs of these baboons are striped with bright red, blue and black bands. They are powerful 
animals, of savage nature, much dreaded by the natives of the Guinea Coast, where herds of them are to be found. 



On one of these occasions I was sitting alone on the deck, and read- 
ing intently, when, in an instant, something jumped upon my shoulders, 
twisted its tail round my neck, and screamed close to my ears. My im- 
mediate conviction that it was Jack scarcely relieved me ; but there was 
no help — I dared not cry for assistance, because I was afraid of him, and 
dared not obey the next impulse, which was to thump him off, for the 
same reason. I therefore became civil from necessity, and from that 



30 



THE SHIP'S MONKEY. 



moment Jack and I became more friendly. He gradually loosened his 
hold, looked into my face, examined my hands with the most minute 
attention, and soon found the biscuit which lay by my side. 

When I liked him well enough to profit by his friendship, he became 
a constant source of amusement. Like all other ship monkeys, he was 
fond of pulling off the men's caps as they slept, and throwing them into 
the sea ; of knocking over the parrots' cages to drink the water as it 
trickled along the deck, regardless of the occasional nips he received ; of 




mmmmmmMmR 



gi^^SS^Sfe^ 



MAGOT, OR BARBARY APE: Northern Africa. 

Large troops of these apes live upon the Rock of Gibraltar and are frequently mentioned by travellers. They are 3 feet in length 
and of a dark gray color. It is said they once saved Gibraltar from surprise and capture by the Spaniards, 

by awakening the British garrison with their cries. 

taking the dried herbs out of the tin mugs in which the men were 
making tea; of slyly picking out the pieces of biscuit which were toasting 
between the bars of the grate ; of stealing the carpenter's tools : in short, 
teasing every thing and every body. 

He was also a first-rate rider. Whenever the pigs were let out to 
take a run on deck he took his station behind a cask, whence he leaped 
on the back of one of his steeds as it passed. Of course the speed was 



THE SHIP'S MONKEY. 



31 



increased, but Jack was never thrown, and became so fond of the exercise 
that he was obliged to be shut up whenever the pigs were at liberty. 
Confinement was the worst punishment he could receive, and whenever 
threatened with that, or any other, he would cling to me for protection. 

At night, when about to be sent to bed in an empty hen-coop, he 
generally hid himself under my coat, and at last never suffered any one 
but myself to put him to rest. He was particularly jealous of the other 
monkeys on board, who were all smaller than himself, and put two out of 




CAPUCIN MONKEY, OR CAI ; South America. 

In the forests of Brazil these little animals live in great troops, inhabiting the tops of lofty trees. They are about 18 inches in 
length and of a lively and playful nature. The color of their fur is black and yellow. 

his way. The first feat of this kind was performed in my presence. He 
began by holding out his paw, and making a squeaking noise, which the 
other evidently considered as an invitation ; the poor little thing crouched 
to him most humbly, but Jack seized him by the neck, hopped off to the 
side of the vessel, and threw him into the sea. We cast out a rope 
immediately, but the monkey was too much frightened to cling to it, and 



32 



THE SHIP'S MONKEY. 



we were going too fast to save him by any other means. Of course Jack 
was flogged and scolded, at which he was very penitent, but the deceitful 
rogue at the end of three days sent another victim to the same destiny. 
But his spite against his own race was manifested at another time in a 
very original way. The men had been painting the ship's side with a 
streak of white, and upon being summoned to dinner left their brushes 
and paint on deck. 

Unknown to Jack, I was seated behind the companion door, and saw 
the whole transaction. He called a little black monkey to him, who, like 
the others, immediately crouched to his superior, when he seized him by 
the nape of the neck with one paw, took the brush, dripping with paint, 
with the other, and covered him with white from head to foot. 

Both the man at the helm and myself burst into a laugh, upon which 
Jack dropped his victim and scampered up on the rigging. For three 
days he remained up on the mast ; no one could catch him, he darted 
with such rapidity from rope to rope ; at last getting very hungry, he 
dropped unexpectedly from some height on my knees, as if for refuge, 
and as he had confided in me I could not deliver him up to punishment. 

At length, after a four months' voyage together the ship reached port, 
and Jack and I had to part. 

I heard afterwards that he seemed to miss me greatly and for many 
days watched for me in the mornings and searched for me in every direc- 
tion, even venturing into the cabins. 




FOXES AND WILD-DOCS. 



33 









>«:-•' 




COMMON FOX AND YOUNG.' 

Varieties of this well-known species are found in many portions of the world. The American Red Fox is found throughout 

the United States. In length of body it is 2 feet; length of tail 12 inches; color bright 

yellowish-brown ; under portions white. 



The Fox. 

A sly and cunning creature is the Fox, and master of so many crafty 
tricks that he is generally able to escape from his numerous enemies, and 
live to a good old age, even in the immediate neighborhood of the hen- 
roosts which he so often robs. 

Foxes are found in many different countries. The common Red Fox, 



34 



FOX HUNTING. 



which is the most numerous, is a pretty little animal, active and swift of 
foot, with sharp-pointed nose, thick fur, and very bushy tail. 

Foxes live in holes in the ground which they dig with their strong fore 
paws. These burrows are generally started near the roots of a big tree, 
or carried under a rock, for well does Reynard know that some day the 
farmer, whose chickens he has been stealing, will come with pick and 
shovel to dig out the thief. It would be easy to reach the fox if only 
the soft ground covered him, and as the cunning fellow knows this, he 
takes advantage of stones and roots when choosing a place for his home. 

The fox has a very strong smell or scent: this, with its swiftness of 




AMERICAN SILVER FOX. 

Color black, mingled with silver gray. This is a rare species; its fur is beautiful and valuable. 



foot and cunning, has made hunting it with hounds a very popular sport, 
especially in England, where the "meet" for a fox hunt is a great event 
of the country-side. 

The hunters come to the starting place, riding upon splendid horses, 
specially bred for running and jumping. Mounted upon these fine steeds, 
and wearing bright red coats, white breeches, and high boots, the men 
present a very fine appearance. 

The fox-hounds, which are kept in large packs at great expense, are 
bred and cared for with as much attention as the horses the hunters ride, 
and are the finest animals of their kind in the world. When loosed for 
the hunt they dash off with nose to the ground, and as soon as the scent 



FOX HI XTIXG. 



35 



of a fox is found, away they go at tremendous speed, sounding now and 
then that loud, deep bay, which is such sweet music to the fox-hunter's 
ear. 

The men gallop their horses after the hounds and exert every effort to 
keep near them ; away they run, the red coats shining in the sun as they 
string out across the fields. Over fences and stone walls, through 
ploughed fields, here jumping a deep ditch half full of water, there 




NORTHERN OR ARCTIC FOX; Greenland and the Frozen Lands Bordering the Arctic Ocean. 

Length from nose to tip of tail 2 feet; color pure white in winter, and in summer brownish-gray. 



leaping a stiff hedge, on they rush after the hounds until the fox is 
caught, or " run to earth " in a deep burrow. To be " in at the death " 
of the fox, or the first to arrive after it has been caught by the hounds, 
is the desire of every fox-hunter, and he whose courage and skillful 
riding have brought him up to the pack, while the poor fox yet struggles 
in the fierce jaws, keeps the brush, or tail, as a trophy, and is admired 
by all for his daring horsemanship. 

The fox knows quite as well as the hunters, that it is its strong 
scent, clinging to the track, that enables the hounds to follow. . Therefore 



36 



A FOX-HUNTER'S STORY. 



many are the cunning tricks which Reynard uses to throw the dogs off 
the path. 

A favorite one is to stop and run back on its own track for some 
distance, then to jump as far as possible to one side and run off in 
another direction. The hounds follow the straight path beyond the place 
where the new track begins, and lose the scent where the fox has turned back. 

mmmmmMmmmmmmMmm^mm^ The followin g stoI 7 b y a 

fox-hunter shows the wonder- 
ful cunning of the animal : — 

A Fox-Hunter's Story. 
There was a certain briery 
field, of large size, near the 
middle of which we could, on 
almost any morning, start an 
old fox. After a chase of an 
hour or so, just enough to 
warm up the horses and dogs, 
we always lost him at the 
same spot, at the corner of 
the fence near a piece of 
woods. 

This happened so often that 
it became the standing joke 
of the country. 

Fox-hunters from other 
neighborhoods would bring 
their packs for miles to have 
a run after this wonderful fox. 
They never had any difficulty in starting him, but after the customary 
run, all trace of him was lost in the usual fence corner. It surely could 
not fly, we said; it must have run along the top rail of the fence, and 
jumped down further on: this is a common trick of these sly creatures. 
Accordingly, we followed the fence with the whole pack, all around the 
field, but did not strike the trail again, and made no discovery. 

The affair was getting serious, the reputation of our hounds was 
suffering, and besides I found they were really losing confidence in 
themselves and would not run with half their former speed and eagerness.. 




CORSAC, OR ADIVE. 

One of the smallest of the fox tribe ; less than the domestic cat in size. It 
is found in Tartary, Siberia, and Western Asia. It is such a beautiful 
little animal that it has frequently been tamed, and was once much valued 
as a pet by Europeans. 



A FOX-HUNTER y S STORY. 



37 



One day I determined to watch at the fence corner, until I could see with 
my own eyes, how the fox managed to so often escape from the dogs 
without leaving the least scent to trace him to his retreat. 

On came the pack, heading toward the mysterious corner. I almost 
held my breath, while I watched in my hiding place for the fox. Soon I 
saw him coming' along, apparently in no hurry, a little ahead of the dogs. 
When he reached the fence, 




which was quite hidden in 
bushes, he climbed to the top 
rail and walked along it 
toward the woods in which I 
was concealed. 

Before he had gone far, the 
hounds came up to where he 
had left the ground. He very 
deliberately stopped and looked 
back: then hurried along the 
rail until he came to where a 
dead tree leaned within a few 
feet of the fence : then made 
a high, long jump to a knot 
upon the side of the trunk, up 
which he ran, and scrambled 
into a hollow in the top where 
it had been broken off. 

The mystery was at last 
solved. The tree stood such 
a distance from the fence, that 
no one ever dreamed of his 
being able to jump it ; but 
practice, and the convenient knot, had enabled him to clear it with ease. 
I was so pleased at the cunning trick which had enabled the fox to 
throw the hounds off the scent so often, that I did not betray him, and 
he continued for a long time to be the wonder of the neighboring fox- 
hunters. Finally, one of them happened to find out the hiding place and 
revenged himself for many unsuccessful runs, by cutting down the tree 
and capturing the smart fox. 

Another story showing a fox's wonderful cunning is the following: — 



FENNEC. 

This pretty little fox ranges over a great part of Africa. In color it is a pale 
fawn, with black tips to ears and tail ; the length of its body is hardly 12 
inches ; the eyes are blue, and the ears large and pointed. It lives in 
burrows, and seeks its food, which consists of small animals and birds, 
during the night. 



38 



CUXNING TRICKS OF THE FOX. 



A fisherman sitting among some reeds on the bank of a river, saw a 
badger moving slowly along a ledge of rock on the opposite side. In a 
little while a fox came along, seeming very tired by a long run, and after 
walking for some distance close behind the poor badger, leaped into the 
water. 

Immediately afterwards, a pack of hounds came down at full speed in 
pursuit of the fox, and following up the scent, the luckless badger was at 

once torn to pieces, while the 
cunning fox was by that time 
floating comfortably down the 
stream. 



A Fox that Played 
'Possum. 
The fox sometimes pretends 
to be dead when caught in a 
tight place, and often escapes 
by that trick. A farmer who 
found that a fox had climbed 
into his hen house by means 
of a projecting board, sawed 
this nearly in two, so that 
when the sharp-nosed thief 
called again for a supper of 
tender chicken, he broke the 
plank with his weight, and 
dropped into the enclosure, 
from which he could not 




OTOCYON, OR EARED DOG; Southern Africa. 

Length of body 15 inches; color gray, with black legs and tail. 

escape. 
In the morning the farmer found the fox lying on the ground, apparently 
stiff and lifeless. That is a good riddance thought he, and taking up the 
furry rascal by the tail, threw him out into the barnyard. To his great 
surprise and mortification the fox opened his eyes, and seeing the way 
clear, jumped to his feet and galloped off to the woods. 

A Tame Fox. 
Even when tamed the fox is the same cunning fellow as when he is 
running wild in the forest. One that was kept in a stable-yard, had 



A TAME I 



39 



managed to strike up a friendship with sonic of the dog's and would play 
with them by the hour. The cats, however, would never approach him, as 
their delicate sense of smell was offended by the strong foxy odor which 



clung to him. 



The crafty animal soon found that the cats would not come near him, 
and made use of his knowledge to cheat them out of their breakfast. As 
soon as the stable-boy poured out the cats' milk, the fox would run to 




COYOTE. 

This little animal ranges over the plains of Western North America. It is noted for its swiftness of foot and cunning, which enable 
it to live upon the prairies long after all other wild animals have disappeared. Length of body 2 feet ; color yellowish gray. 

the spot and walk around the saucer, well knowing that the rightful 
owners would not touch it, on account of the scent which he had left 
there. When he was hungry, which was nearly always, he would then 
lap up the milk, while poor pussy looked on from a distance, with many 
a mournful mew for her departing breakfast. Day after day the cats lost 
their milk until the fox's trick was discovered, and the milk placed out of 
his reach. 

These stories show what a cunning creature the Fox is, and, although 



40 



THE AUSTRALIAN WILD-DOG. 



we, perhaps, cannot respect such a crafty, thievish disposition as his, yet we 
must admire the ability which enables him to live among so many enemies. 
When once safely housed in his cosy burrow, he can laugh at the 
efforts of men and dogs to reach him, and can rest from long runs, of 
fifteen or twenty miles ; rising refreshed, for further attacks upon the 
farmer's poultry yard. 




DINGO, OR AUSTRALIAN WILD DOG. 

Color yellowish brown and white ; height at shoulder 2 feet. In appearance this animal is quite pleasing, and unlike the wolf, 

although resembling it in its savage nature. 



The Dingo looks very much like a friendly house-dog as he stands 
with ears erect, showing off his soft, brown coat. We feel like patting him 
on the head and saying, — good dog! but if we did so, a sharp growl and 
quick snap would be our reward, for he is a wild fellow at heart, and 
obeys no master's call or whistle. 

Australia is the home of the Dingo, and there they hunt their prey in 
large packs. It is said that each pack knows its proper ground, and will 
hunt only over a certain district, neither going into the hunting fields of 



THE AUSTRALIAN U7/./> DOG. 



41 



another pack of Dingoes, nor permitting any trespassers on their own. 
They are swift of foot, and tireless runners. 

In Australia, where such immense flocks of sheep are kept that some- 
times the whole country-side, as far as the eye can see, is covered with 
their white forms, these wild dogs were once terribly destructive. 

Sheep-owners counted their missing sheep and lambs by the hundred, 
and so great was the loss that they held meetings, and arranged for 




AFRICAN JACKAL. 

These animals live together in troops ; in desert regions they follow the caravans, and prowl about encampments during the night 
searching for scraps of food. In size the jackal resembles the common fox, but stands a little taller; color grayish yellow above 
and white beneath. 

great hunts, to rid the country of the pest. Owing to this, they are at the 
present time far less numerous. 

The Dingo is very hard to kill, and sometimes, like the fox, when all 
other ways of escape have failed, pretends to be dead. One that had been 
caught in the act of carrying off a young lamb, was beaten by the enraged 
shepherd, with a heavy club, until he supposed that every bone in its body 
was broken. But in a little while it was seen to get up, shake itself, and 
slink away into the bush. 

Another story is told of a Dingo, which was thought to be dead and 



42 



WOL VES. 



had been brought into the hut to be skinned ; it actually allowed the skin 
to be cut open on one side of its face before showing any signs of life. 

As a general thing the Dingo will not attack a man, and would rather 
run away than fight: but when hard pressed it will turn to bay with great 
ferocity. Many attempts have been made to tame them, and when well 
fed, and kindly treated they take on some dog-like ways. Their wild 
nature, however, will constantly show itself, and they cannot be trusted. 




AFRICAN WOLF. 

It resembles the Jackal in appearance and habits, but is of a somewhat larger size, and bolder nature. 



The Wolf. 

In the early years of the settlement of our country, when the great 
forests stood gloomy and dark, and no cities and towns were to be seen, 
but only a log house here and there marked the home of the white settler, 
the howls of Wolves could be heard every night, as the fierce animals 
prowled around the lonely dwellings in search of prey. 

The cattle and sheep had* to be strongly housed in those times, or in 
the 



morning 



only a few well-gnawed bones would be found to tell the 




COMMON WOLF. [43] 

It is found in nearly all parts of the world, varying in size and color according to the locality in which it lives. The large gray wolt 
of America sometimes grows to a height of fully 2^£ feet at the shoulder, and a length of over five feet from nose to tip of tail. 



44 A WOLF HUNT. 

story of a midnight tragedy. Especially during cold winters were the 
wolves bold and fierce. Hunger drove them out of the deep woods, to 
the farms and villages, where they exerted every savage instinct to satisfy 
their craving for food. 

Wolves almost always hunt in packs, and, whether following the track 
of a lost traveller through the snow, or pursuing some sick or wounded 
deer, they are the same treacherous, tireless animals, and are to be dreaded 
by all persons who are compelled to travel alone through the wild regions 
in which they dwell. 

The bite of a wolf is a succession of sharp, fierce snaps. Instead of 
making its teeth meet in the flesh, and keeping a firm hold of its prey, the 
wolf bites as rapidly as it can open and close its jaws ; each snap tears 
and mangles the flesh of its victim. So strong are its jaws that when 
they miss their mark, the sharp teeth clash together with the sound of a 
closing steel trap. These quick, snapping bites enable the wolf to wound 
and kill animals much larger and stronger than itself. 

The most tempting morsel to a wolf is a little pig, and the squeals of 
a young porker will bring them for miles. Some hunters at a frontier 
fort once took advantage of the wolves' fondness for pig in the following 
manner. 

A Wolf Hunt. 

One cold winter's day a sleigh was loaded up with warm furs and 
provisions, plenty of guns ; and last, but not least, a lively young pig was 
thrown in, which had been tied up in a bag for convenience in carrying, 
leaving only his head exposed. 

On reaching a distant and lonely place in the woods, a little pinching, 
and pulling of his ears produced loud squeals from poor piggy. This was 
just what the hunters had brought him for, and more pinches and pulls 
were given, and still louder squeals followed as a protest against such 
treatment. 

In a short time the howls of famished wolves were heard, drawing 
nearer and nearer, and soon the savage beasts were seen closing around 
the sleigh. 

Bang ! went the hunters' guns as soon as the pack came within range, 
and for a time the slaughter went on finely. It was noticed — and this is 
always the habit of the wolf — that as soon as one of their number was shot 
down, the others pounced upon him and devoured his carcass, tearing, 



A WOLF //rxr. 



45 



snapping, and growling over the least, little caring, apparently that it was 
one o\ their own companions whose bones they were picking. 

After a time it was noticed that although the hunters quickly reloaded 
and fired at the advancing pack, the number of wolves still more rapidly 
increased, and presently one, bolder than the rest, jumped at the heads of 
the horses, which had with difficulty been restrained from dashing away at 
the first noise of the conflict. 

Seeing that the affair was becoming dangerous, the hunters threw the 




AMERICAN GRAY WOLF. 

Formerly common in all portions of our country, but now found only in the wilder parts. 

pig, whose squeals had proved so effectual, out to the advancing pack, 
and while the fierce beasts were fighting for a taste of this delicious 
morsel, the horses were lashed to their greatest speed and the wolves left 
far behind. Only for a little while, however, were the hunters out of 
danger: but a few r minutes were needed for the ravenous beasts to 
divide the last shred of the pig, and having done this, they resumed their 
pursuit of the sleigh. 

With long tireless gallop, and numbers largely increased, the w r olves 
rapidly gained on the flying horses. The hunters loaded and fired with 



46 



A WOLF HUNT. 



the utmost rapidity, and the leaders of the pack were shot down as they 
came near the sleigh, but it seemed as if a score of others immediately took 
their places. 

It began to look as if the party would soon be torn by the sharp teeth 
of their pursuers. Throw them the provisions ! cried one ; Out with the 
robes ! said another, and down to the howling pack were hurled the furs 
and hampers. 

With fierce snarls and wide-open jaws the wolves leaped upon the cast- 




RED WOLF; South America. 

This species leads a solitary life on the Pampas, or flat, grass-covered plains of the La Plata region. 

away articles, and as the hunters saw the gleaming teeth close upon their 
late possessions, they shuddered at the thought of what their fate would 
be if the horses should not be able to keep up the wild race. 

Happily, their starting point was now not far away: and, with the time 
gained by throwing over the furs and provisions, the race might yet be 
won. But the howls of the pack were again plainly heard. They had 
once more taken up the chase, and lash the horses as the driver would, 
the wolves still gained. Despair was beginning to chill the hearts of the 



./ 1 1 ■(>/./■• HUNT. 



47 



fleeing hunters, when far ahead, a light was seen, casting a faint glimmer 
over the snow. The fort! the fort! cried the driver, and with hope renewed, 
the steaming horses were urged to continue their mad gallop. 

On came the wolves, and in the dim light of the dying day, it seemed 
as if their numbers had doubled since the chase began. As before, bullets 
seemed of little avail, and the leaders of the pack were almost upon the 
hunters, when shouts from the fort showed that their plight had been dis- 




EUROPEAN WOLF. 

Color gray and fawn, mingled with black, under portions white. In size it is similar to the American gray wolf. 

covered ; help was near, and soon the open gate of the enclosure could 
be seen. 

Clubbing their guns, the hunters dashed them down upon the heads of 
the snarling brutes that were leaping up at them, and with a last burst of 
speed, the exhausted horses drew the sleigh clear of the pack and rushed 
within the welcome gates. With a crash, the protecting timbers closed 
behind them, and the men turned to see their savage pursuers leaping 
vainly at the heavy bars. 



48 



A WOLF HUNT. 



It was with thankful hearts that they entered their warm, comfortable 
quarters, and not one of the party could afterward think of the dreadful 
fate that had been so narrowly escaped, without an involuntary shudder. 

In this country, at the present time, it is only in the wildest and most 
thinly settled regions, that any considerable number of wolves are to be 
found. Owing to their destructive nature, a bounty, or reward of money 
is granted by law, in many States, to any person who kills a wolf and 
brings its scalp to the proper authorities. Wolves are terrible enemies to 
sheep, and it needs but a few of them to keep the farmers of an entire 
county in anxiety and suspense. 

In some of the Western States great hunts are sometimes planned, in 
which hundreds of men and dogs take part. They form a circle and 
gradually draw together, beating a great extent of country as they go, 
thus driving within a narrowing enclosure, all the wolves that may be 
hiding in woods and thickets. Many have been killed in this way, but 
often the surrounded brutes will dash through the line as it closes on 
them, and thus escape. 




GAUNT AND HUNGRY. 



THE HYENA. 



49 




SPOTTED HYENA: Southern Africa. 

Color yellowish brown, with black spots. Height at shoulder, 3 feet, length of body, 4 feet. The broad head of this animal shows the 
powerful jaw muscles; these enable it to crush the bones which form a considerable portion of its food. 



The Hyena. 

Hyenas, by their very looks, show their low and cowardly nature. As 
the Vulture is among birds, so is the Hyena among animals, a scavenger 
and cleaner up of the dead and decaying remains of other creatures. 
These may have been killed by some of the nobler beasts of prey, by the 
hunter, or perhaps, may have died a natural death ; it makes no difference 
to the Hyena, all is fish that comes to his net, and so long as a shred 
of meat or bit of bone remains he will linger at the feast. 

Disgusting in appearance and habits as this animal is, it is nevertheless 
most useful in Asia and Africa, where it is found. Sneaking about the 
outskirts of the villages, and even through the streets after nightfall, the 
Hyena devours, with hearty appetite, all the bones and bits of meat that 
have been thrown out by the careless villagers, and thus clears away carrion 



50 



KILLING A HYENA. 






which would otherwise poison the air, and make the place unfit for people 
to live in. 

There are two kinds of Hyenas, the striped and the spotted. The 
spotted variety is the larger of the two. The bone-cracking abilities of 
these animals are simply wonderful, and their powers of digestion such, 
that a Hyena will swallow a large knuckle bone without giving it a 
crunch ; it will crack the thigh-bone of a buffalo to obtain the marrow, 

and will swallow either end 
immediately afterward. 

Natives of the countries in 
which the Hyena is found, despise 
it as the greatest of cowards. 



Killing a Hyena. 

An American hunter in the 
wilds of Africa, who had tracked 
a Hyena to a cavern in which it 
had taken refuge, thrust a spear 
repeatedly into the opening, and 
finally succeeded in stabbing the 
animal in the breast and killing it. 

Just then, some natives ap- 
proached and seemed much sur- 
prised to find a white man engaged 
in hunting such ignoble game. 
They told him to return thanks 
that he had not dishonored his 
gun by such a capture, and 
advised him to throw away the 




STRIPED HYENA; Northern Africa and India. 

It is somewhat smaller than the spotted variety, but of the same nature 

and habits. 



bloody spear, as it would henceforth surely betray him. 



Although not usually dangerous to man, the Spotted Hyena has been 
known, when very hungry, to steal noiselessly up to the camp-fires of 
the natives, and steal children who were sleeping by their mothers' side. 

It is also said to be very cunning in avoiding traps, and snares of all 
kinds, examining carefully every small object before touching it. When 
hunting at night, or quarrelling with its mates over some choice morsel of 
meat or bone, it utters a strange howl, which sounds fearfully like wild 




SCENE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. 

Spotted Hyenas devouring the carcass of an Oryx, with Jackals awaiting their turn at the feast. [51] 



52 



STRIPED HYENAS. 



laughter, and is sure to make all who hear it, without knowing its cause, 
tremble with dread. 

But the worst that is told of the Hyena is, that it steals into burying 
grounds at night, and, horrible to relate, digs into the graves so that it 
can carry away and devour the bodies of the dead. In South Africa the 
graveyards must be strongly enclosed, or the graves themselves protected by 
heavy stones, to prevent their being robbed by these prowling beasts. 
The awkward appearance and slouching gait of the Hyena, is principally 

caused by the shortness of 
its hind legs. The neck 
and shoulders are a good 
deal Higher than the hind- 



quarters, which seem as 
if intended for a much 
smaller creature. 

The color of the Striped 
Hyena varies according to 
its age. In the full grown 
animal the color of the hair 




Striped Hyenas Eating Bones; Vultures in the Distance. 



§jj| is a grayish-brown, over 



which are drawn a number 
of dark stripes, extending 
along the ribs and across 
the legs. 

In the young, these 
stripes are nearly twice as 
dark and twice as wide 
as in the old Hyenas, and 



they likewise are to be seen on the face and other parts of the body, from 
which they afterward disapppear. The hair is always rough; and along 
the spine, and especially over the neck and shoulders, it rises in a kind 
of mane, which gives the beast a very fierce look. 

The picture shows a group of Hyenas feeding upon the remains of a 
dead animal. The jackals and vultures will have a share of the feast, 
but must keep out of the way of the strong, snapping jaws of the Hyenas, 
and content themselves with a hasty mouthful, snatched here and there 
while the larger beasts are not too near. 



THE CAT TRIBE 



53 




LION OF BARBARY. 

Color deep yellowish brown ; the mane is frequently longer and heavier than that of the lions of Southern Africa, and sometimes covers 

the neck, shoulders, and part of the fore legs, with its long locks. Length of the largest lions, from the nose to tip of tail, 10^ feet. 



THE CAT TRIBE. 



The Lion. 

The King of Beasts: this is the name which has been given to the 
great Lion, and those who have seen him in his native wilds, say that 
he is worthy of the proud title. Beauty and strength are both his, as well 
as courage. He has moreover, a certain nobility of nature, and an air 
of dignity which strongly contrasts with the sneaking habits of tigers, 
leopards, and other animals of the cat tribe. 

In the early days of the world's history the Lion was common in Syria, 



54 A LION HUNT. 

Persia, and throughout the whole of India and Africa. At the present 
time, although a few are still to be found in certain parts of India and 
Persia, it is in Africa only that the Lion remains, a " King of the Forest." 
Even in Africa he is- being driven slowly but surely backward, as man, 
armed with the deadly rifle, advances. 

Among the Dutch settlers of Southern Africa, encounters with the Lion 
often take place, and the story of a thrilling adventure of this kind was 
told by one of them ; it is as follows : — 

Story of a Lion Hunt. 

One evening, far in the interior of Southern Africa, a farmer was sitting 
in front of his hut, with his young son. He was contentedly smoking his 
pipe, as he looked with pride upon his sleek herds of cattle which grazed 
around him. 

Suddenly, he noticed far away, some tawny object moving slowly around 
the end of a wooded hill which extended into a field. By careful watching 
he discovered that the object was a Lion, and that it was quietly moving 
toward a valuable black horse that was grazing near. 

Starting up, the farmer and his son, a lad of sixteen years, seized their 
guns, which were as usual standing ready loaded, and ran toward the horse, 
shouting as they ran to the Hottentots who were idling about the farm. 

The black fellows did not seem to be in a hurry to reach the scene of 
danger, so the farmer and his son got to the horse before any other help 
arrived, and as the hill was now between them and the Lion, nothing 
could be seen of him. 

The horse was still quietly grazing, entirely unconscious of any danger, 
and the farmer's son, against the advice of his father, left him feeding and 
advanced toward the Lion's lair. 

His father called several times for him to come back and wait for the 
Hottentots and the dogs, -but getting no answer he walked toward his 
son, whom he found throwing stones into the thick bushes. 

When, within calling distance, he saw him suddenly raise his gun and 
fire, though apparently without aim, and then turn to run. At almost the 
same instant the Lion, with a terrific roar, charged out of the thicket; in 
two bounds he was upon the boy, whom he at once dragged to the 
ground. 

All this happened in a very few seconds, so that before the farmer, who 
instantly ran to the rescue, could reach the spot, the lad was terribly torn 




BLACK-MANED LION (SOUTH AFRICA). 

Lions are sometimes seen with the mane almost black; these are frequently of large size and great ferocity, 
however, that they differ in any respect but in color from the tawny yellow animals. 



It is not found, 
[55] 



56 A LION HUNT. 

and mangled, and lay dying upon the ground before the eyes of his 
horror-stricken father, who, although he at once fired a shot at the Lion, 
saw it bound away into the bushes, where it was soon lost to sight. The 
boy was at once carried home, but never spoke again, and died during 
the night. 

Revenge was now the first thought of the farmer; bullets were cast, 
powder horns refilled, and early the next morning he was preparing to 
leave the hut with his men and dogs, when he was stopped by a little 
Bushman, whom he had long ago befriended, and who lived on the place. 

These little Bush-people live in the deepest forests of Africa. They are 
seldom more than four feet in height, and seem too small and weak to 
be feared, but many a travellers death-knell has been sounded by the 
.twang of their tiny bow, for the points of their slender arrows are poisoned. 

What do you want of me ? asked the farmer, who was in a hurry to start. 

The Bushman, who was armed with his bow and arrows, answered by 
bringing out from a fold in his breech cloth a small tuft of black hair, like 
a shaving brush: — it was the Lion's tail tuft. 

Eagerly the farmer asked the little man how, and when, this unlooked- 
for success had been met with, and this is the account the Bushman gave 
of his adventure : — 

When the Lion struck down the farmer's son, the Bushman was perched 
upon a rock, in full view of the scene. He saw the Lion go back into 
the bushes, and marked the spot in which it lay. Then going back to the 
farm, he found an old and worn-out ox, and, getting his bow and poisoned 
arrows, drove the beast close to the Lion's lair, tied it to a tree, and 
immediately hid himself in the long grass. 

It was now night, but Bushmen, owing to their habits of prowling 
about in the darkness, can see at night nearly as well as by day. 

Soon sounds of cracking twigs, under a stealthy tread, showed that the 
scent of the ox had reached the Lion ; in another instant its huge yellow 
body dashed through the air, as it made its spring upon the unfortunate 
bullock, which was soon in its death struggle. 

At this moment, the little Bushman fitted one of his poisoned arrows to 
the bow-string, then another; and two of the tiny shafts went true to 
their mark, deeply pricking the Lion's flank. 

The ox was soon killed, and the Lion dragged the carcass away among 
the bushes, while the Bushman found shelter under some overhanging 
rocks near by. 




AFRICAN LION AND LIONESS. 



[57] 



58 ADVENTURE WITH A LION. 

As soon as day began to dawn, the Bushman carefully looked about 
him, and with noiseless steps crept toward the Lion's lair. All was silent: 
he advanced to the spot, pulled aside the long bushes, and there, stiff 
and lifeless, lay the savage beast which but yesterday had alarmed the 
country-side. The poisoned arrows had done their work: the farmer 
could now put away his guns and tie up his dogs, for the Bushman, 
with his puny native weapon, had killed the monster. After this great 
service the little man was allowed to remain, a favored idler about the 
farm, and the cunning and bravery he had shown was not soon forgotten. 

The force of the blow of a Lion's paw, when springing upon its prey, 
is terrific, and many a man has been killed outright by it, as though 
struck by a bar of iron. An African traveller tells the following: — 

Adventure with a Lion. 

While on the frontier of Abyssinia, a native came into camp one 
morning with the news that a large Lion was lying asleep close by. 

One of our party, taking a double-barrelled rifle, and giving another to 
his man, immediately followed the native. 

The Lion was soon discovered beneath a leafless bush ; it appeared to 
be gorged with flesh, and half asleep in the hot sun, took very little 
notice of the two men. The hunter advanced boldly within twenty yards.. 
The Lion looked at him with sleepy astonishment ; he took aim and fired. 
He missed ! The Lion at once crouched for a spring. 

The hunter aimed between the eyes and again fired. He missed again 1 
The Lion crouched no longer; but giving an awful roar he bounded 
forward, and, with a terrific blow upon the head, felled the unfortunate 
hunter to the ground, and seized him by the neck. 

Almost at the same moment, the faithful native rushed forward to help 
his master, and, afraid to fire lest he should hit him by mistake during 
the confusion of the struggle, he actually pushed the muzzle of his rifle 
into the Lion's ear and pulled the trigger. The Lion fell dead upon the 
lifeless body of the hunter. 

And now, to show the awful force of the blow dealt by the Lion's paw 
in its first rush, we must follow the body as it is carried back to camp, 
and note the result of the examination made by a skilled surgeon, who 
was one of the party. 

He found the skull of the unfortunate man so completely shattered that 



THE LION'S DEADLY BLOW. 



59 



it looked like a crushed egg-shell, and not only this, but a close inspection 
showed that the claws of the Lion had in several places pierced the bone, 
as if driven like a nail by blows of a hammer. 

The same traveller, tells of another adventure with a Lion, which 
happened while he was upon an expedition up the White Nile : — 




LIONESS. 

The Lioness does not grow as large as the Lion; seldom measuring more than 9 feet in length, from nose to tip of tail. She is of the 

same tawny color but without any mane. 



The Lion's Deadly Blow. 

The dry season was at its height; all the high grass and reeds along 
the river's banks had been burnt by the natives, and the surface of the 
earth was black and bare. 

The boat was going easily down stream, and as we floated along, a 
Lion was seen standing not far from the edge of the water. 

The vessel was at once stopped, and a trustworthy native hunter of the 



60 THE LION'S DEADLY BLOW. 

party offered to land and kill the Lion. The man was sure of his aim ; 
so accordingly he was put ashore, armed only with a single barrelled rifle. 

From the boat the whole affair was easily seen. They saw the native 
advance boldly toward the Lion, which, although standing when first 
observed, now immediately crouched. The native advanced until only a 
few yards distant : he then halted and fired. 

With a loud roar the Lion flew to the attack, and, with its paw, struck 
the hunter fairly upon the shoulder. 

The effect was awful ; the man was dashed violently upon the ground, 
and the Lion fell across his body ; after a few gasps it rolled over and 
died. The hunter never moved. 

The boat was now run up to the bank, and a number of men at once 
ran to the prostrate form of their companion. He and the Lion were 
both found to be quite dead. The bullet had struck the beast in front, 
and had passed through the heart. 

But the man ! what a terrible sight met the eyes of his friends. The 
paw of the Lion had descended upon his shoulder with such fearful force 
that not only the arm, but all the flesh on the left side of the body, was 
stripped downward and lay upon the ground, attached loosely to the hip 
by a strip of skin. The man had been killed on the spot by the shock 
of the dreadful blow. 

The Lion is truly a terrible beast when roused to anger, and well 
should the hunter look to his aim, so that his bullet may fly straight to 
the brain, if he hopes to escape from the encounter with his life. 



The Tiger. 

In beauty of coloring, and elegance of form, the Tiger is truly a royal 
beast; while in strength, activity, and dangerous powers of attack, it is 
hardly inferior to the Lion himself. 

When springing upon its prey, the Tiger does not, however, strike the 
crushing blow with the paw peculiar to the Lion, but merely seizes with 
its claws, and depends upon a grip upon the neck with its strong jaws to 
destroy life in its victim. 

Tigers live in Asia. The largest kind, called the Royal Bengal Tiger, 
is found in India. 



THE TIGER. 



61 



This splendid beast sometimes grows to a length of ten feet, from nose 
to tip o\ tail. The whole body is marked with dark stripes, which contrast 
beautifully with the bright, tawny yellow of the rest of its coat. 

The Tiger is shaped very much like a great cat, and, large and ferocious 
though the animal is, it is impossible to watch its stealthy, graceful move- 
ments without being reminded of our tame pussy at home. 




ROYAL TIGER: India. 

Color bright yellow with black stripes, sides of head and lower parts of the body white; length (including tail) 10 feet. Excepting the 

Lion, the Tiger is the largest and strongest of the cat tribe. 

There is, indeed, a strong family likeness between all the cat tribe, and 
the different members of it have many habits in common. The house cat, 
little and weak though she seems, compared to the Tiger, constantly 
reminds us of her great relation, and, when springing upon a mouse or 
bird, shows by her fierceness that beneath the soft coat, and gentle, purr- 
ing ways, there is yet a little of the Tiger's savage nature. 

The Leopard, the Lynx, and the Wild-Cat, also belong to this same 



62 



A TIGER HUNT. 



family, and are all true cats, though some live in trees, while others prefer 
the bush or reed-covered ground. 

Tiger hunting in India is one of the grandest and most exciting of 
sports: think of twenty or more huge elephants, each with a hunter upon 
its back, starting out to rouse the fierce Tiger from its lair. The dangerous 
beast, when tracked to its hiding place, and driven out of the long grass 
in which it loves to rest during the day, if not killed at once by a well 
directed shot, may jump upon the nearest elephant, and tear it with teeth 




TIGER HUNTERS MOUNTED UPON AN ELEPHANT. 

and claws. A desperate struggle between the two animals then commences, 
and it must be a cool-headed man who can take steady aim under such 
exciting circumstances. A hunter tells of an adventure of this kind:— 

A Tiger Hunt. 
We had been moving our line of elephants forward very slowly through 
the jungle, keeping a bright lookout on every side, when one of the 
mahouts, or drivers, who sits upon the neck of the elephant, and guides 
his movements with a sharp iron hook, raised his arm as a signal and 
halted his elephant. The whole line of twenty-one elephants immediately 
stopped. 

I rode toward the spot; the line opened, and the mahout explained that 



A TIGER HUNT, 



63 



he plainly saw the bushes move, not more than three or four paces in 
front. Me also declared that just for an instant he had seen something 
yellow, and the tiger was, in his opinion, even then crouching exactly 
before us. 

Telling him to fall back, and taking his place on my most trustworthy 
elephant, 1 went forward a few steps. My mahout now advised me to 
tire a shot into the place where the tiger was supposed to ' be, for he 
said, this would either kill it or drive it forward. 

Accordingly, I aimed carefully in the direction pointed out by the 




THE TIGER SPRINGS UPON THE ELEPHANT. 



man, and fired, — the effect was remarkable ; at the very instant the sound 
of the shot was heard, and with a terrible roar, the tiger sprang from 
its lair. 

My elephant was badly frightened, and twisted around so suddenly to 
the left that, had I been unprepared, I should have fallen heavily against 
the edge of the howdah, or box, which is strapped firmly on the elephant's 
back for the hunter to ride in. As it was, my left hand grasped the rail, 
while, with my right, I took from its rack a double barrelled shot gun, 
which I always carried, loaded with heavy shot, for work at close quarters. 

Another spring, and the tiger was upon the elephant, with its great 
claws buried in the poor animal's head, only a few inches from the 



64 



A RUN-AWAY ELEPHANT. 



leg of the mahout, who sat astride of the elephants neck. Quickly aiming 
at the tiger's head, I pulled the trigger; almost at the same moment one 
of my friends, whose mahout had bravely driven him close to the clinging 
tiger, planted a bullet in its shoulder. 

A bag of sand could not have fallen more suddenly or heavily than our 
fierce assailant. My whole charge of heavy shot had gone directly into its 
brain and had shattered the skull (as examination afterwards proved) into 
a hundred pieces. This tiger was a very large one and when carefully 




TIGER AND TIGRESS. 



measured proved to be exactly ten feet and one inch in length, from the 
nose to the tip of its tail. 



A Run-away Elephant. 

The story of a hunt which was very different from the one just 
described, is told by the hunter as follows : — 

We had been beating through the withered grass, which stood nearly 
ten feet high in the lowlands near the river, when my native servant, who 



. / run-A WA v Ki.r.rn. int. 



65 



was behind me in the how dab, exclaimed, "Tiger, master, Tiger!' and 
pointed towards the high grass a few yards ahead of the line of elephants. 
I could see nothing; neither could my man, but he explained that, just 
for an instant only, he had caught sight of a striped, furry tail which he 
was sure belonged either to a tiger or a large leopard. I could always 
depend upon the man, so I stopped the line at once, intending to push 
ahead with my elephant, until I should find some clear place among the 
high grass, and there wait for the line of elephants to drive the tiger 
toward me. 




CREEPING AWAY. 



At about a quarter of a mile distant, there was a spot where the grass 
had been fired when half green, and although the tops were burnt, the 
stems were only scorched, and were of that mingled color, black and 
yellow, which so closely matches the striped hide of a tiger. 

The line of elephants advanced. I was riding a large tusker named 
Sinbad, which became very uneasy as a number of wild pigs rushed out 
of the long grass, one lot taking to water and swimming across the river. 
Presently a slow movement disturbed the half-burnt herbage, and I could 
make out a form creeping silently forward, about forty yards from my 
position. 



66 



A RUN- AWAY ELEPHANT. 



It stopped, no doubt having perceived the elephant. It moved again, 
then once more stood motionless. I now made out that it was a tieer ; 
but although I could distinguish the yellow and black stripes, I could not 
see the head or tail, therefore I could only guess upon its actual position. 
It seemed most probable, however, that it would be facing me, but 
crouching low. 

The elephants were now about 150 yards distant, approaching in a half 
circle. I determined to take the shot, as I felt sure that my heavy rifle 




THE TIGER COMES OUT OF ITS HIDING PLACE. 



would cripple the beast, and that we should find it easily, when wounded ; 
otherwise, it might disappear and give us several hours' work. 

Taking a very steady aim, low down in the indistinct mass, I fired. 
The effect was tremendous : a succession of wild roars were accompanied 
by a furious struggle in the high grass, and I could occasionally see the 
tiger, rolling over and over in desperate contortions, while a cloud of 
black dust, from the charred grass, rose above the scene. This continued 
for about twelve or fifteen seconds, during which my elephant whisked 
round several times, and had been severely punished by the mahout's iron 
hook, when suddenly from the cloud of dust, a tiger came at great speed, 
making a most determined charge at the nervous Sinbad. 



./ RUNAWAY ELEPHANT. 



67 



Away went my elephant, as hard as he could go, tearing along through 
the grass like a locomotive engine off the track, and no power could stop 
him until we had run at least a quarter of a mile. During this run, with 
the tiger elose behind, I expected to see it spring upon us ; however, by the 
time we stopped the elephant, it had turned aside into the high grass. 

I now pushed ahead into the middle of the grass, and called to the 
line to advance, in a half circle, as I was sure the tiger was somewhere 
between me and the approaching elephants. They came on tolerably well, 




\ / 






THE TIGER TURNS ASIDE INTO THE GRASS. 



although a few were rather scared. At length they halted about seventy 
yards from me, and as I knew that the tiger was not far off, I ordered 
the left of the line to close in, so as to come around me ; by which 
movement the tiger would be driven within a close shot. 

Before the line had time to advance, there was a sudden roar: a tiger 
sprang from the grass, and seizing an elephant by the trunk, pulled it 
down upon its knees so suddenly that the mahout was thrown to the 
ground. As quick as lightning the tiger let go its hold upon the elephant 
and seized the unfortunate man. 



68 



A RUN- A WAY ELEPHANT. 



I never saw such a hopeless panic as then followed among the 
elephants. The whole line broke up in confusion : while the beast that 
had been first attacked tore riderless over the plain, the others fled in 
every direction, and, during all this time, a continual succession of horrible 

roars and angry growls, told 

::,/.. ^xM.r that the tiger was tearing the 

helpless man in pieces. 

A cloud of dust marked the 
spot, within seventy paces of 
my position. It was like a 
dreadful nightmare ; my ele- 
phant seemed turned to stone. 
In vain I seized the mahout 
by the back of the neck as a 
signal to move forward ; he 
dug his pointed hook frantically 
into Sinbad's head, but the 
animal was as motionless as a 
block of granite. 

This lasted quite fifteen 
seconds ; it appeared as many 
minutes. Suddenly my servant 
shouted, " Look out, master, 
another tiger come ; two tigers, 
master, not one ! " I looked in 
the direction he pointed, and at 
once saw a tiger crouching, as 
though preparing for a charge. 
It was about forty yards 
distant: the animal was upon 
my right, and the elephant had 
not observed it. 

I fired at the half open 
mouth of the tiger, and, to my great relief, it rolled over upon its side 
in dying struggles. At this moment, one of the beaters' elephants, seeing 
the dying tiger, regained its courage, and making a desperate charge, drove 
its long tusks between the shoulders of its fierce enemy, crushing out 
the last spark of life from its bleeding, prostrate body. 




ELEPHANT'S CHARGE UPON A WOUNDED TIGER. 



THE WOIWDED MA I/O IT. 



69 



My elephant now answered to the driver's hook, and, leaving the dead 
tiger where it lay, advanced steadily toward the spot where we had seen 
the cloud o( dust which showed where the attack upon the mahout took 
place. Fully expecting to see the tiger upon the man's body, I stood 
ready in the howdah prepared for a careful shot. We arrived at the place, 
which was somewhat cleared of grass by the recent struggle, but instead 
of finding the man, we found only his waist-cloth, and about fifteen 
yards from this bloody evidence of the encounter, we saw the unfortunate 



r - •_■ 




LEOPARD; Asia and Africa. 

Color yellow with black rosette-shaped spots, lower portions white ; length including tail 7 to 8 feet. 



mahout, lying apparently lifeless in the grass. No tiger was in sight, but 
the one I had just killed. 

We immediately carried the unconscious man to the river and bathed 
him in cool water. He had been seized by the shoulder, and was terribly 
torn and clawed about the head and neck, but fortunately there were no 
deep wounds reaching to the lungs. We bandaged him up by tearing a 
turban into long strips, and, having made a good surgical job of it, I 
had him laid upon a pad elephant and carried straight to camp. 

We then loaded an elephant with the dead tiger, which proved to be 



70 



A TTA CKED BY AN ANGR Y LEOPARD. 



the only one, and the very same animal which I had started by my first 
shot. The bullet had struck its thigh bone, breaking it all to pieces, which 
accounted for Sinbad's escape from being boarded in the rear, as the tiger 
could not spring to so great a height upon only three legs. The furious 
beast had then attacked the second elephant, which, falling upon his knees, 
had thrown the unready driver. The tiger having bitten and clawed the man, 
was advancing to attack me, when I settled him with the bullet in the jaws. 




RIMAU-DAHAN, OR CLOUDED TIGER CAT; Sumatra. 

An exceedingly graceful and beautiful variety ; color gray with black stripes ; length including tail alout 5 feet. It is a somewhat rare 

animal, and but few specimens have ever been captured alive. 

On arriving at the camp the wounded man was well cared for, and 
afterward recovered entirely from his wounds. 

Attacked by an Angry Leopard. 
The elephant Sinbad had behaved so badly that I made up my mind 
to give him but one more chance, and then to change him for another 
elephant if he should repeat his cowardly behavior. 



ATTACKED BY AN ANGRY LEOPARD. 



71 



A few days afterward, the natives reported a tiger to be in a thicket 
near by. I immediately sent the elephants into the jungle, and took up 
a position upon Sinbad in a narrow opening- to the thicket; the other 
elephants being sent in to start the enemy from his place of concealment. 

As they approached in close order, a rustling in the bush announced the 
presence of some animal. 

Suddenly a large leopard bounded across the open space, its beautiful 
yellow and black spotted hide glistening in the sunlight. I at once fired 
without taking very careful aim, and struck it through the middle of the 
bodv. It rolled over to the shot, but immediately disappeared in the thick 
jungle a few paces distant. 




MARBLED CAT; Malacca. 

Color tawny gray with black marking ; length including tail i]/ z feet. 

I called the line of elephants, and we lost no time in beating the 
neighboring bush in the closest order, as I fully expected the leopard 
would be crouching beneath the tangled mass of leaves. 

In a short time the elephants sounded their trumpet note of alarm, 
which always indicates the near presence of a foe. Suddenly, without the 
least warning, the leopard left its hiding place and dashed straight at 
Sinbad, seizing him by the shoulder-joint, and hanging on like a bull-dog 
with teeth and claws. Away went Sinbad through the tangled branches, 
like an express train. It was impossible to fire, as the leopard was hidden 
beneath the flap of the howdah. After we had travelled in this way for 
fully one hundred yards, the thick bushes through which we rushed tore 



72 



LEOPARDS AND TIGER-CATS. 



the leopard from its hold, and in another instant it had disappeared in 
the jungle again. 

I now changed my elephant, and rode a steady female named Sonda, 
and the line having re-formed, we advanced slowly through the bush. 
We had not gone a quarter of a mile before the elephants scented the 
leopard, and knowing the cunning habits of this animal, I formed a 
complete circle around the place, and closed in until we at length spied 




OCELOT; South and Central America. 

One of the most beautiful of the tiger cats ; color gray marked with darker spots and stripes ; length including tail 4 feet. 



the spotted hide beneath a bush. A charge of buckshot killed it without 



a struggle. 



The Leopard, or Panther, as it is also called, exists in great variety, and 
is known by different names in the many different countries in which it is 
found. It may be called a Panther, or Ocelot, or Wild-Cat, or Jaguar, 
but it still remains a Leopard, though differing very much in size, color, 
and, to some extent, in habits. 

The skins of Leopards, from different parts of the world, show a striking 
difference in size and in the color of the fur. The largest Leopard, 



THE CATTLE SLA YER. 



73 



however, docs not exceed eight feet in length, from nose to tip of tail. 

It is a very powerful animal, and while no Lion or Tiger can climb a 
tree, all o\ the many varieties of the Leopard tribe will spring up the 
trunks oi even smooth-barked trees, with the agility of a monkey. 




' fM^-J'^j 






OCELOT ON THE WATCH. 



The Cattle Slayer. 

Although the Tiger as a " man-eater " is terribly dangerous, and very 
often will carry off and devour a score of natives before it is killed, there 
are tigers which would never attack a man, although they live in the 
neighborhood of villages, and have every opportunity for seizing women 
and children as they pass unsuspectingly by. 

There was a well known animal of this kind at a place called Bhundra, 
in India, which w r as supposed during its lifetime to have killed 500 of the 
natives' cattle. This was a remarkably large tiger, but so harmless to 
man that it was regarded merely in the light of a cattle-lifter, and neither 
woman nor child dreaded its appearance. 

The natives assured me, says the . traveller who tells this story, that it 
had been hunted time and again, for fourteen years, by officers, travelling 
sportsmen, and by natives, but as the tiger bore a charmed life it was 
quite impossible to destroy it. It is a common belief among the natives 



74 



THE CATTLE SLAYER. 



that a particularly dangerous or destructive tiger is possessed of an evil 
spirit, and the people spoke of this being such a one, as a matter of course. 
They said that the tiger was frequently met by the natives, and that it 
always passed them with perfect indifference, but that it carrried away a 
cow or bullock in the most regular manner every fourth day. Everybody 
who had gone after it had obtained a shot : but, they said, bullets are of 
no use against a devil, therefore it was always missed. 




VIVERRINE CAT; India. 

Length of body, 2]/ 2 feet; color, yellowish-gray with black spots. 



I was thirty miles distant when I heard of this tiger, and I immediately 
directed our course toward Bhundra. 

We arrived in May, during the hottest season. After the usual greeting, 
I inquired of the people concerning the celebrated tiger : " How long was 
it since it had been heard of?" The Thakur, or head man of the village, 
calmly informed us that three days had passed since it had killed the last 
cow; it would therefore kill another to-morrow. There was no excitement 
visible, but the natives spoke of the tiger as coolly and unconcernedly as 
though it had been the post-man. 

My Shikari, or native hunter, was present, and I ordered him to tie up 



THE CA /'/'/.A" SLA YER. 



75 



a good large buffalo, in fine condition, as the tiger was in the habit of 
selecting the best cattle for its meal. 

The Thakur knew the exact position to tic the buffalo, to serve as a 
bait, and he assured me that the tiger would certainly kill it, and that I 
should get a shot, but that the bullet would either fall from the hide, or 
in some way miss the object. 

At daybreak the next morning my eager Shikari arrived with news that 



; 





SERVAL. 

This species of Wild-Cat is found throughout the African continent, from Algiers to the Cape of Good Hope. It measures 3^ feet 
including tail, which is not more than 12 inches ; color tawny yellow with black spots; under parts whitish. 

the buffalo was killed, and that they had seen the tiger devouring its 
hind-quarters. Giving my Shikari a double barrelled gun, and sending 
out a large force of natives to act as beaters, I entered the jungle. 

It was arranged that I should climb into the branches of a large tree, 
which was directly in the path usually taken by the tiger when roused by 
the beaters. 

Accordingly I climbed up into my lofty perch, squatting there in a most 
uncomfortable position. At least an hour passed before I even heard the 



76 



THE CA TTLE SLA YER. 



beaters. At length, amidst the cooing of countless doves which perched 
upon the branches around me, I detected the distant thud, thud of a 
tom-tom, or native drum, and the confused sound of many voices : then 
the sound of two shots, fired in rapid succession, fell upon my ear. 

I knew this must be my Shikari, and I felt sure he had missed, as the 
shots followed each other too quickly for accuracy. After waiting about 
ten minutes, without a sight of any animal, I descended from my perch 
and went toward the sound of voices. Soon coming upon a crowd of 
beaters, I heard that my Shikari had fired at the tiger, when only about 




EYRA (Solid-Colored Tiger-Cat); South and Central America and Mexico. 

Color chestnut brown. It is about the size of a domestic cat, but its legs are much shorter. 

twelve yards distant. Both bullets had missed, owing, as he said, to the 
power of the evil spirit which every native seemed to feel sure had found 
lodgement within the dangerous beast. This was the usual end of a hunt for 
this celebrated tiger, so there was nothing left for us but to return to camp. 

In the evening I laid plans for the next day's hunt, and decided to take 
up my position in the same tree, but to make myself more comfortable by 
padding the branches with the quilted pad of a riding elephant, as I 
might have, a long wait. 

When the morning came we started with a large force of beaters, and 
upon arriving at the tree I arranged the quilted pad, and took my seat, 



THE CATTLE SLAYER. 



11 



having carefully screened myself by intertwining a few green boughs 
around my hiding place. 

I was very comfortable upon the soft pad, and patiently sat waiting for 
the natives to begin their beat of the jungle. 

The tree in which I was perched, was so placed that I had a clear view 
of the path along which it was expected the tiger would come. 

Some time passed, but it was difficult to decide whether the beat had 
commenced, owing to the ceaseless cooing of the doves which fluttered 




YAGUARONDI (Solid-Colored Tiger-Cat); South America and Mexico. 

Color, generally a brownish gray. It has a remarkably long body with short legs; length of body 2J^ feet; length of tail 2 feet. 



about in the branches of my tree. Presently a peacock flew into the tree 
upon my right, and almost immediately two more ran over the dead 
leaves which covered the ground beneath me, and made an exciting rustle 
in that quiet nook. I now felt certain the beaters were advancing, as 
these pea fowl had evidently been disturbed. I therefore kept a sharp 
lookout, with rifle at full cock, as I felt sure that should the tiger show 
himself he would be far in advance of the approaching drive. 

My ears fairly sang with the strain of expectation, when suddenly I 
heard the faint but unmistakable beat of the native tom-tom. 



78 



THE CATTLE SLAYER. 



Hardly had the momentary noise of the drum died away, when a dull 
but heavy tread upon the brittle leaves which strewed the ground thrilled 
me with expectation. This was repeated in such a slow but regular 
manner that I felt sure the sound arose from the stealthy step of a tiger. 
I looked along the little pathway, but could see nothing. The footsteps 
ceased for at least a minute, when once more the tread upon the dead 
leaves decided me that the animal was not far away. 




m^ymm^mm 



PAMPAS CAT, OR JUNGLE CAT; South America. 

Color gray with brown stripes ; length of body 2 feet ; tail I foot. 



At this moment, I raised my eyes from the path along which the beast 
was expected to make a retreat, and saw, through the intervening mass of 
leafless bushes upon the opposite slope, a dim outline of an enormous 
tiger, so indistinct that the figure resembled the fading appearance of a 
dissolving view. Slowly and stealthily the shadowy form advanced along 
the face of the slope, exactly crossing my line of sight. 

It was the beast " possessed of an evil spirit " that had escaped for so 
many years, and I could not help thinking that his end was near, though 



77//: CATTLE SLAYER. 



79 



I was afraid to risk a shot in the present position, where the bullet would 
ha\ e to cut through a hundred twigs before it reached the mark, and thus 
would probably be turned aside. 

The tiger was now about forty yards distant, and, although the bushes 
were all leafless, there was one exception, which lay in the direct path the 
tiger was taking', a little upon my right: this was a very thick and large 
green bush. Just ahead of this bush was a clear open space, and I 
resolved to wait until the tiger passed the bush and crossed the clear 




AMERICAN WILD-CAT AND YOUNG. 

Color yellowish gray, with dark stripe along the back and numerous darkish stripes upon the body and legs ; length 3 feet, from nose 

to tip of tail. 

opening before shooting. Therefore, resting my left elbow upon my knee, 
I aimed my rifle at the shoulder of the unconscious tiger and followed it 
carefully, resolving that at last the evil spirit, which was said to have so 
long possessed it, should be driven out. 

The shouts of the beaters were now distinctly heard, and the loud 
tom-tom sounded cheerfully as the line approached. Several times the 
tiger stopped and turned its head to listen ; then it disappeared from view 
behind the thick leaves of the bush. 

I lowered my rifle to rest my arm for a moment. So long a time 



80 



DEATH OF THE CATTLE SLAYER. 



elapsed that I was afraid the tiger had turned straight up the hill, behind 
the bush, in a direct line with it, and thus would be lost. 

I had almost come to this sad conclusion, when a magnificent head 
projected from the dark green bush into the bright light of the open space. 

For quite fifteen seconds the animal thus stood, with only the head 




EUROPEAN WILD-CAT AND YOUNG. 



exposed to view, turned half way round to listen. I felt quite sure that 
I could have put a bullet through its brain; but I waited. Presently it 
emerged, a splendid form, and walked slowly across the open space. 

My rifle had followed its every movement, and at this moment I 
touched the trigger. The tiger reared to its full height upon its hind 
legs, and with a roar that could have been heard at a couple of miles' 
distance, it seized a small tree within its jaws, and then fell backward; it 



THE SllOf THAT KILLED. 



81 



gave one roll down the slope and lay motionless. The evil spirit was 
cast out. 

I never saw such rejoicing as was occasioned by the death of this 
notorious tiger. The news ran like fire through the neighboring villages, 
while we were placing the carcass of the dead animal upon our pack 
elephant. By the time we had done this a large crowd had collected, which 
followed the elephant, bearing the body of the tiger which had thinned 
out their herds during so many years, upon the march toward our camp. 




EGYPTIAN CAT. 

Color gray and white with black marking ; length of body l]/ 2 feet ; tail I foot. Pictures of this cat are frequently found upon the walls of 
ancient Egyptian tombs, it having been considered a sacred animal. Some think that the domestic cat is descended from this species. 

At least three hundred women and children assembled to satisfy them- 
selves that their enemy was really dead. As this tiger had lived in 
luxury upon the cattle of the villagers, it was immensely fat, and weighed 
about 500 pounds. I found my bullet had entered exactly at the right 
shoulder joint, which it had smashed all to pieces, carrying splinters of 
bone through the lungs; then passing through the ribs upon the opposite 
side, it had smashed the left shoulder, and was found beneath the skin 
expanded like a mushroom. 



82 



GREAT VARIETY OF THE CAT TRIBE. 



While the Lion, the Tiger, and the Leopard are the largest and most 
ferocious of the cat tribe, there are a great many smaller animals of the 
same family found in almost all parts of the world. These vary through 
every shade of feline coloring, from spots to stripes, or to a tawny brown, 
similar to the coat of a lion, but notwithstanding the difference in the 
markings of the coats of these wild, forest-loving animals, their nature 
remains the same. 




THE CHEETAH, OR HUNTING LEOPARD. India and Africa. 

Length of body 4^ feet; color reddish-brown with round black spots. The Cheetah is one of the fleetest animals in the world, 
differs from all the other animals of its kind, as it can be tamed and is used in hunting antelope and deer. These 

it is able to run down, and kill, in a fair chase. 



It 



They are all cunning, ferocious, and destructive, and while they will 
generally avoid man, yet if wounded, or unable to escape, they will turn 
and fight with the utmost fury. Appearing to care nothing for the size ^r 
numbers of the enemy, they will fly to the attack, biting and tearing all 
within reach, until the death blow is given them. 

It is said that in India, where the cat tribe especially abounds, far greater 



WILD-CATS AND LYNXES. 



83 



numbers of cattle and goats arc killed by leopards than by the dreaded 
tiger. The varieties also are so numerous that, while some of these 
destructive pests can be classed among the largest leopards, others are no 
bigger than the common, domestic cat. 

The Wild-Cats and Lynxes used to be very plentiful in the dark woods 
of this country, and there are a good many yet to be found in the wilder 
portions. 




.ATu.^.^ 



CANADA LYNX. Common in Canada and throughout the Northern United States. 

Length of body zy z feet; tail 6 inches; color tawny yellow with black marking. The food of the Lynx is birds, and small animals, 

such as rabbits and squirrels. It is harmless and inoffensive, flying from man unless wounded or brought to bay, when 

it will fight fiercely. 

Some of these animals look very much like a fine, big, house-cat, with 
grayish coat, marked with dark spots or stripes, and thick, blunt tail. 

When in a good humor, playfully rolling in the dry leaves beneath 
some giant tree, we might think that a Wild-Cat would make a nice pet ; 
but let it catch sight of an enemy, or be trapped or caught, and one's 
"hair will stand on end" at its ferocity, while the woods will echo with 
its wild, unearthly yells. 



84 



WILD CATS AND LYNXES. 



As some of the wild-cats are so much like our pet Toms and Tabbies, 
it is quite possible that a long time ago, before any tame cats could be 
found, the wild ones were sometimes caught when they were kittens, 
and by means of kind treatment, plenty of milk, and a warm, snug corner 
by the fire-side, were made to forget their savage ways : thus beginning 
the family of house-cats, now so useful in destroying mice and rats in our 
houses and barns. 

The Cheetah, or hunting leopard, differs from all the other leopards in 




PARDINE LYNX. Southern Europe. 

Color reddish-brown with black spots ; under parts white. Length of body 2^ feet ; tail 6 inches. 

having claws more like a dog than a cat, and in seeking its prey upon 
the ground, by running it down, instead of suddenly springing from behind 
a bush, or from the overhanging limbs of trees. 

Hunters say that it is a difficult matter to get a shot at the smaller 
varieties of the cat tribe. The Tiger seldom or never looks up 
in the branches of the trees, and therefore it does not perceive the 
hunter sitting in his " mucharn," or hiding place, usually arranged near 
the bait, which consists of a goat or bullock tied fast to a stake. All the 



WILD-CATS AND LYNXES. 



85 



Leopards, however, approach in the most wary and cautious manner, 
crouching down at every few steps, and examining each yard of ground, 
at the same time scanning the overhanging boughs into which they 
frequently leap for refuge. 

Main a time, when the disappointed hunter thinks the leopard has 
deserted his usual haunts, the animal will be closely watching him from 
some thick bush, behind which it has noiselessly crept. It then retreats 
as silently as it had advanced, and after a while the watcher returns 




CARACAL LYNX. India, Africa and Arabia. 
Color bright brown, under parts nearly white; length of body 2^4 feet. 

home after a long and tedious wait, fully assured that no leopard has been 
within a mile of his position. 

The w r ounds from the claws of leopards, and tiger cats of most kinds, 
are very dangerous, owing to their habit of feeding upon the partly decayed 
bodies of animals. Although the first meal from a freshly killed carcass is 
of course untainted, the remainder rapidly decomposes, and, as the leopard 
returns to the repast, the claws, which are used to hold the flesh while 



86 



THE JAGUAR, OR AMERICAN LEOPARD. 



it is torn by the jaws, become poisoned. A scratch from these poisoned 
claws therefore makes a very painful wound which will not only be slow 
to heal, but may cause lock-jaw. 




EUROPEAN LYNX. 
Color reddish-gray with black spots ; length of body 3 feet. 

The Jaguar, of South, and Central America and Mexico, is one of the 
largest and most beautifully marked of the leopard tribe. Being as big as 
a small tigress, and more strongly built than any of the leopards, it is a dan- 
gerous animal and has been known to attack, and kill, men and women. 

Carried Off by a Jaguar. 

In north-western Mexico, near the town of Magdalena, three children of 
a wealthy ranchman named Antonio Lopez, were playing one morning in 
the dense thicket that grew near their father's house. 

The youngest was little Juan, a three-year-old boy. He had been left 
alone, while the others looked among the bushes for berries. Suddenly a 
scream was heard : the children came running back, but only in time to 
see a great yellow and black spotted beast seize the little fellow in its 



THE CHILD AND THE JAGUAR. 



87 



laws, by his loose dress, and rush away with him into the depths of the 

forest. 

The two children ran shrieking toward the house to find help, and 
meeting two oi the herders, told them the terrible news. The men at once 
rushed back in the direction pointed out by the children, but, owing to 




JAGUAR, OR AMERICAN LEOPARD; South, and Central America and Mexico. 

Color yellow with black, rosette-shaped spots; lower parts white. Length of body 4^ feet; tail, 3 feet. The food of the Jaguar 

generally consists of the smaller animals of the forest. So active, and quick va movement is it that monkeys, 

and sometimes even birds, are struck down by its sudden spring. Unlike others of the cat 

tribe, the Jaguar takes to the water freely and swims with ease. 

» 

the dryness of the ground, they could find no trace of the jaguar, for such 
it was, excepting a single shred torn from the boy's dress. 

The father, when told of the terrible fate that had befallen his little 
son, hastily called together all the men on the place, and, loosing the 
hounds, ran to the wood where the jaguar had last been seen ; there the 
dogs soon found the trail. 

Following this up for nearly a half mile, the men came to a small farm 
upon the mountain side. What was the father's joy and amazement to 



88 THE CHILD AND THE JAGUAR. 

see a woman step out from a little hut which stood upon the clearing, 
leading by the hand, and apparently unhurt, his lost child. 

In reply to the eager questions of the searching party, the woman 
simply said that she had killed the jaguar, rescued the child, and was 
about to take him back to his parents. 

The calm manner in which the woman spoke of her extraordinary feat 
led the men to doubt the truth of her story, but she at once offered to 
show them the carcass of the dead animal and the weapon with which she 
had despatched it. Following her to a spot behind the wretched shanty 
which was her home, they found the dead jaguar, and beside it a heavy 
iron hoe which had been this humble heroines only weapon. 

She told the story simply and in a few words, saying that she had been 
the only person at home, and while engaged in weeding her garden plot, 
had heard the frightened crying of a child in a clump of bushes near the 
clearing. 

Running to the place, she saw the jaguar, apparently exhausted, lying 
panting close to the child, which it had dropped, but was watching as a 
cat might watch a mouse. At the sight of an intruder the animal sprang 
out, snarling, and made a dash at the little one, as if to seize it once 
more, but before it could lay hold of the child, the woman, placing her- 
self between them, struck at the jaguar with the hoe, which she still carried 
in her hand. 

She missed the creature, which now turned and sprang upon her with a 
cry of rage. She fell with the jaguar, but managed to roll to one side 
and get upon her feet before the animal recovered itself for another spring. 
It again rushed at her open-mouthed ; this time she struck it with the hoe, 
wounding it in the back and bringing the blood. The animal rolled over 
on the ground in agony, vainly trying to reach the wound, while the 
woman, snatching the child, ran in the direction of the cabin, but finding 
herself pursued by the jaguar, which on discovering their flight came 
springing after them with loud cries, she crouched behind a mass of 
cactus plants, hoping their thorny front would serve as a barricade. 

The beast, however, seemed literally crazed by the wound, and, gathering 
itself for a tremendous leap, cleared the cactus. Striking on its head, 
it appeared to be confused for a moment, when the woman, taking 
advantage of its condition, brought her weapon down upon its skull with 
such force as to crack it. It died instantly, and, picking up the child, she 
returned to the shanty, where she fed the little fellow, and, arranging her 




THE HOME OF THE JAGUAR. 



IS'Jj 



90 THE PUMA, OR AMERICAN LION. 

dress, which had been nearly torn from her body when the jaguar sprang 
upon her, had just started for the valley when she met the hunters. 

The woman was a poor ignorant creature, and of slight form, but 
very strong owing to her free, open-air life upon the mountain side. She 
scarcely seemed to realize that she had done a deed, which in nobility 
and heroism could have been equalled by but few men ; having acted 
entirely from a woman's instinct to protect and guard a child. 

A large reward was presented to her by the delighted father, who found, 
strange to say, that his little son was entirely unhurt, except from 
numerous scratches and bruises received while being dragged by his fierce 
captor over the rocks and bushes ; the jaguar's teeth having been fixed 
only in the boy's loose clothes. The dead jaguar was found to be a 
young female, not quite full-grown but still a powerful and savage-looking 
beast, measuring six feet from the nose to the tip of its tail. 

In northern Mexico, these animals seldom leave their mountain fast- 
nesses except when forced by hunger to seek the valleys and clearings, 
where they prey upon young cattle and sheep. They are regarded 
by the ranchmen there as dangerous foes to attack, being generally 
very hard to kill and exceedingly savage and fearless fighters when 
wounded. 

The Puma. 

Next to the Jaguar, the largest of the cat tribe that is found in this 
country is the Puma. Few animals are known by such a variety of 
names ; it is called the American Lion, the Panther, Cougar, Mountain Lion, 
and by some of the settlers in the far west, the " Painter." It is a large 
and powerful animal, sometimes measuring nearly eight feet in extreme 
length, from nose to tip of tail. The Puma is spotted somewhat like the 
leopard while young, but when about a year old the spots fade out of 
its coat, and leave it a tawny yellow. 

The habits of the Puma are the same as those of others of the leopard 
tribe. About sunset it comes stealthily out from its hiding place and 
prowls about during the night in search of prey. Woe betide the 
unfortunate deer or sheep that happens to be seen by the fierce beast; 
for, springing upon its throat, it clings there with sharp claws until the 
neck is broken or the victim strangled. 

Before there were so many people living in this country as there are 




JAGUAR AND MONKEYS. 



[91] 



92 THE PUMA, OR AMERICAN LION. 

now, the Puma was common everywhere but in the coldest parts of the 
northern States. Although it does not often attack people, it has a con- 
stant thirst for blood, and is always ready to help itself from the sheep- 
fold of the farmer. A single Puma has been known to kill twenty sheep 
in one night, drinking a little blood from each, and leaving the carcass 
untorn. Although the Puma does not often attack man, it has sometimes done 
so, and as the following adventure shows, may be a very dangerous foe. 

* 

Attacked by a Mountain Lion. 

Two brothers, who once lived in the wild mountain region of northern 
Pennsylvania, where many miles of dark, untracked forests may even yet 
be found, started out one morning with their guns and dogs to hunt for 
deer. 

Reaching one of the steep, heavily wooded hills which are common in 
that part of the country, they decided to separate and go in different 
directions around the base of the mountain, and to meet on the other side. 

It was also agreed that if either fired his gun, the other was to hasten 
to the spot from which the sound came, and join in the pursuit of what- 
ever game might have been started. 

Soon after they had parted the eldest of the brothers heard a shot. He 
at once ran in the direction of the report, looking this side and that for 
some sign of the gfame. 

When he reached the spot from which the sound had apparently come, 
he was surprised to see nothing of his brother. Going a little further he 
was startled to see, stretched on the ground, his brother's dog. It was 
dead and terribly mangled. This showed that the animal his brother had 
fired at must have been large and ferocious, so he felt greatly alarmed 
for his safety, and cautiously advanced, with gun at full-cock, peering 
from side to side into every bush and thicket. 

Suddenly, from a tree a few paces ahead came a savage growl ; he 
stopped, looked up, and there, crouched on an overhanging limb, was an 
immense puma, and under it, firmly held by the great paws, was the body 
of his brother. 

The tawny monster glared fiercely at him and uttered another menacing 
growl. It seemed to hesitate whether to leave its prey and spring to 
attack this new enemy, or to drag the body of its unfortunate victim 
further into the recesses of the wood. 



DEATH OF THE MOUNTAIN LION. 



93 



Filled with horror at the sight, the hunter did not give the savage beast 
much time to act. Knowing the marvellous quickness of its movements he 
instantly raised his gun, which was loaded with ball, and aiming- between 
the creature's shining eye-balls, pulled the trigger. The aim was a true 
one : with a yell that could be heard for a mile through the forest, the 
puma loosed its hold on the body of its victim, and together both fell 
to the earth. The remaining dog bravely attacked the foe as soon as 




PUMA, sometimes called the Mountain Lion or Panther. It is occasionally found in the wilder portions 

of the United States, and is common in South America. 

Color tawny yellow, under parts grayish-white; length of body over four feet, tail three feet. Next to the 
Jaguar, the Puma is the largest of the cat tribe found on the American continent. 



it reached the ground, but the powerful paws still retained sufficient 
strength to kill, and the dog was stretched lifeless by the side of the 
bleeding man. The bullet in the head had done its work, however, and 
soon the puma ceased its struggles. 

Quickly the hunter approached the two prostrate bodies, and kneeling 
by the side of his brother put his hand on his heart. It had ceased to 



94 



A STARTLED DUCK-HUNTER. 



beat; he was quite dead. The puma had probably sprung upon him, after 
having killed the dog, and as the shot that was fired had entirely missed 
its aim, the hunter paid for his poor marksmanship with his life. 

A Duck-Hunter's Adventure. 

The story of another, and less serious, encounter with a Puma is told by 
a sportsman who was duck-shooting on a branch of the St. Johns River, 
Florida. 




CIVET, OR CIVET CAT; Northern Africa and Eastern Asia. 

Length from nose to tip of tail 3 feet. Color yellowish-gray with black spots and stripes. The animals of the civet family produce the 

well-known scent called " civet," which was once not only esteemed as a perfume but was considered a useful medicine. 

The civet-scent is a white, fatty substance, which is secreted in two curious little pouches, or turnings-in of 

the skin near the tail. The numerous varieties of the civet tribe live upon birds, small animals, 

and insects, for which they hunt during the night-time. 

In order to get near the birds, without their seeing him, he had 
placed over his head the corner of his rubber coat, while he crept along 
the river bank, upon hands and knees. The coat only half covered his 
body and trailed along behind him. 

Suddenly he was startled by a loud noise, something between a bark 
and a roar, and immediately afterward felt some heavy body strike his 
feet. Instantly jumping up he saw, to his amazement, a large puma actually 
standing on his coat. 



A DUCK HUNTER'S ADVENTURE. 95 

Perhaps the beast was equally astonished at being confronted with a 
man, instead of some small and harmless animal, which would prove an 
easy prey. It remained perfectly motionless, with eyes fixed on the startled 
duck-hunter, who, although holding his gun in his hand, feared to fire, lest 
the small shot in the cartridges would not kill, but only enrage the beast: 
it was an anxious moment. The great cat stood with back slightly 
arched, and tail swaying from side to side, for fully ten seconds, 




COMMON GENET; Northern Africa and Southern Europe. 

Color gray with black or brown spots. Length of body 20 inches ; tail nearly the same. It is sometimes tamed and will catch mice as 



well as a cat. 



which seemed like an hour to the man confronting it. At last the beast 
turned its head and walked slowly away, but stopped when about ten 
yards distant, and faced about: the man maintained his ground, upon 
which the puma, apparently admitting his superiority, turned again and 
walked off into the bushes. 

When forced by hunger to seek its prey near the lonely clearings, or 
farms, nothing is either too small or too large for the Puma to attack. 



96 



THE COW AND THE PUMA. 



When once fairly started upon its midnight expeditions, all that belongs 
to the farmer's stock, from a chicken on the roost to a cow in the pasture, 
is fair game for the wily Puma. 

A story which affords a good example of this animal's boldness 
when short of food, is told as follows : — 

A Puma Attacks a Cow and Her Calf. 
A cow, with a young calf, was confined in a cattle-shed within a few 
feet of the farmer's house. She was very cross, and it was not safe for a 




LUWACK, OR COMMON PARADOXURE; India. 

Length of body 2 feet, tail nearly the same. Color yellowish-brown with dark spots and stripes. It is common throughout the greater 

part of India and Ceylon, and in its habits resembles the genet and civet-cat. 

stranger to come near her, especially as her horns were unusually long 
and pointed. The roof of the shed was covered with loose boards and 
straw. 

During the night a puma which was prowling about, jumped on the 
roof of the shed and began to scratch a hole through it, intending to make 
a meal of the sleeping animals below. 

The cow soon heard the enemy at work above, and ever mindful of the 
safety of her beloved calf, stood ready to receive the intruder on her sharp 
horns as soon as it should make an entrance. Immediately upon 



./ PUMA'S .1 TTACK UPON A COW. 



97 



the puma's descent it was pinned to the ground, before it had time to 

make its spring. 

The noise of the tremendous struggle which followed aroused the 

farmer, who, with lantern in hand, opened the cattle-shed door and 

discovered the cow in a frantic state of rage, butting and tossing some 

large object to and fro, which 
appeared to have lost all power 
of resistance. This was the puma, 




ZIBETH; China, India and other parts of Asia. 

Length, including tail, 3 feet. Color grayish-white marked with 

dark stripes. In captivity it is gentle, and is sometimes 

tamed and kept in the houses of the natives, 

much as our domestic cat. 




DELUNDUNG, Java and Malacca. 

Color a beautiful silvery-gray with large stripes and spots 
of dark brown ; a somewhat rare animal. 



in its last gasp, having been run through the body by the sharp 
horns of the brave mother, whose little calf was nestled in a corner, safe 
from harm. 

No sooner had the farmer appeared upon the scene, than the character 
of the conflict changed ; the cow, in her excited state, looked on him as a 



98 



DOG CARRIED OFF BY A PUMA. 



new enemy, and leaving the battered form of the first disturber of her 
peace, charged straight at her owner, who dropped his lantern and flew 
back to his wife, whom he had left safe in bed. 

After some delay, during which the courage of all parties was restored, 
excepting that of the crippled puma, the cow was quieted, and a shot 
from a pistol, through the head of the midnight marauder, put an end to 
the conflict. 




BINTURONG (Arctictis); Sumatra and Java. 

Length of body l]^ feet; of tail, which is prehensile, 2 feet. It lives among the trees, generally sleeping during the day and searching 
for its food at night, which consists of small animals and birds, and occasionally insects and fruit. Color black with white 

marking upon head and ears. 

The stealthy approach of the Puma is so noiseless that a dog is seized 
by the neck and carried off before it is aware of the presence of its 
enemy. 

Upon one occasion, says a traveller in South America, we were 
encamped for the night on the banks of a river, and no sound disturbed 
our repose. Suddenly a puma bounded into the centre, where the men 
were sleeping around the embers of a fire, and pinning down one of the 
dogs by a grip upon the neck, sprang back into the darkness, carrying its 
captive with it. Although at once pursued the fierce beast could not be 
overtaken. 



THE WEASEL TRIBE. 



99 



Weasels, Stoats, Martens, Etc. 

The animals of the Weasel kind have long and slender bodies, with 
short legs, and although most of them are very small, they are fierce and 
blood-thirsty. Their agile, snake-like bodies wind their way through the 
underwood of the forests, or through small holes in the walls of the 
barn or poultry house. They are 
wonderfully quick in their movements, 
and are terrible enemies to birds and 
many of the weaker animals. 

The Common Weasel is the smallest 
of its tribe, being not more than ten 
inches in length when full grown. Its 
color is reddish-brown, the under part 
of the body being white. Weasels 
are found in many parts of the world 
and are common in the United States, 
although their watchfulness and agility, 
together with their small size, render 
it hard to o-et si^ht of them, even in 
places where they are known to live. 
They are great enemies of rats and 
mice, hunting them through their holes 
and burrows, and following the scent 
with such deadly certainty that their 
prey seldom escapes from them when 
once the little hunter has set itself 
fairly on the track. 

When the Weasel has reached its 
victim, it leaps upon it and fastens 
its sharp teeth in the back of the 
neck, there retaining a deadly hold in spite of every struggle on the part 
of the wounded animal. 

It seems to know the exact place to inflict a wound that will most 
quickly kill, and usually sinks its teeth through the skull, into the brain, 
thus causing instant death. 




COMMON WEASEL; Europe and America. 

Length from nose to tip of tail 10 inches. Color reddish-brown 
and white. 



In 



killing 



the rats and mice, the Weasel does 



good 



service to the 



100 



WEASELS. 



farmer, but not content with such small game, it will sometimes creep into 
the poultry house, or dovecote, and carry off the little chicks, or even kill 
full grown fowls by a single deadly bite upon the head. It is also very 
fond of eggs, and • robs the nest of many a hen, or wild-bird, of its- 
treasures by climbing up to where it rests, and sucking out the contents 
of each egg through a small hole, which it bites in the end. 

Lying hidden in the grass or brush-wood, the Weasel will sometimes 

wait until a bird or small animal 
approaches near enough to be 
caught. Then it leaps from its 
place of concealment and fastens 
upon the head or neck. 

A Weasels Quickness. 

A sportsman, who was once 
crossing a field after a covey of 
partridges, was surprised to see a 
weasel leap from the ground and 
seize one of the birds, just as it 
was rising on the wing, bringing 
it to the earth, a ruffled mass 
of feathers. On going to the 
spot the active little animal was 
found already devouring the bird 
it had so cleverly captured. So 
much was it enjoying its meal, 
that it allowed the hunter to 
approach near enough to kill it 
with a blow from a stick. 

On another occasion a weasel 
was seen to capture and kill a crow in a somewhat similar manner. 

The crow was about alighting in a held when a little brown body was 
seen to dart upon it and bring it to the ground. The person who 
witnessed this curious occurrence, walked at once to the spot and found 
the crow dead, from a wound in its neck ; the weasel at once hid in a 
neighboring hedge, but soon reappeared and w 7 as allowed to drag away 
its prize. 

The quickness and cunning of the weasel is put to the test when birds 




SOUTH AMERICAN WEASEL. 



WEASELS. 



101 




TAYRA, sometimes called the Great Weasel; South America. 

Color black with white marking on throat. Total length nearly 2 feet. 

are its prey, for, being able to fly, they can escape by a single effort — the 
mere sight of the weasel's brown body is a signal to spread their wings 
and fly far away. 

The Weasel's Hiding Place. 

How the weasel succeeds in capturing a bird, is told by an eye -witness 
of the following incident. In a stubble field was a bunch of long grass, 
on which it was noticed some little birds were fond of alighting, in order 
to peck off the seeds which yet remained on the ends of the tall stalks. 
Presently, a weasel was seen to dart from a neighboring hedge and 
conceal itself in the long grass. Suspecting that the little animal was 
up to mischief, the person who relates this incident quietly seated himself 
near by, and patiently watched the place where the weasel lay hidden. 

After a while the little birds, entirely unconscious of any danger, came 
flitting past, and soon one of them alighted on the bunch of grass. Instantly 



102 



THE WEASELS CUNNING. 



the weasel sprang up from below, caught the bird, and ran off with it in 
its mouth. 

At all times the Weasels are ill tempered little brutes, and ready for a 
fight, but when a mother weasel sees her little ones endangered, by man 
or beast, she becomes a really dangerous opponent. Small as she is, she 
can give a very severe bite. Moreover, she does not trust entirely to her 

_ _ __^ -, % ^.. N '«»i»".<^« s « MK own efforts in resisting the enemy, 

§£*»= ••i-'V/V ^ \k- " t k ut ca ^ s to her aid, by shrill 

squeaks, all her friends and neigh- 
bors, who fly to the attack with 
great fury. 

Attacked by Weasels. 
Once, w T hile driving along a 
country road, a teamster saw a 
man in an adjoining field acting 
in a most extraordinary manner. 
He was jumping up and down, 
flinging his arms about, and really 
looked as if he had suddenly 
become crazy. The driver stopped 
his horses and approached to find 
out what was the matter. As 
soon as he reached the stranger 
he found that his excitement was 
caused by the attack of a number 
of weasels, which were running 
up his body, and striving des- 
perately to reach his neck. 

The man's hands were so much 
occupied in tearing off his little 
assailants and throwing them 
away, that he had no time for 

killing any of them, so they were returning to the attack as fast as they 

were dislodged. 

A few strokes from the teamster's whip killed a number of the animals, 

and the rest, seeing that reinforcements had arrived, took to flight. The 

help had come no sooner than it was needed, for the man who had been 




KINKAJOU ; South America. It is sometimes called 

Mexican Weasel, but is not of the weasel family, 

bearing greater resemblance to the Raccoon. 

Total length 30 inches, of which the tail is more than half. Color 
light dun marked with narrow bands of darker shade. It lives 
chiefly among the trees, and is a fearless climber, possess- 
ing the power to clasp the boughs with its prehensile 
tail. It seeks its food at night, which consists 
of fruit, insects, honey and small birds and 



COURAGE OF THE WEASEL. 



103 



attacked said that he was nearly tired out, and could not have kept his 
little foes at a distance much longer. 

The cause of the attack was this: he had been passing near an old 
wall, and saw there a weasel running about. He began to tease the 
animal, which, finding itself unable to escape, uttered a shrill squeak. 
Instantly about fifteen other weasels issued from holes in the wall, and 
began an attack, which, if it had not been for timely help, might have 
ended seriously. 

This shows that Weasels, although generally so quick in getting out of 
sight when in the presence of man 
that only a glimpse of brown fur can 
be seen, may be, at times, dangerous 
opponents. 



Weasel and Heron. 

Two gentlemen who were walking 
along a road in western Pennsylvania, 
had their attention attracted by loud 
screams and screeches which came from 
a field near by. They went to the 
spot and found that a fight was going 
on between a heron and a weasel. 
The weasel w f as making desperate 
leaps, and trying to seize the neck of 
the bird. Sometimes he succeeded in 
getting a hold, but the heron each time 
managed to shake him off. His long 
neck giving him sufficient pow r er to 
do so. 

The heron would then seize the 
weasel by the throat, with its long bill, 
shaking it as a terrier does a rat. 

The battle thus continued for several minutes, neither of the fighters 
taking notice of the lookers-on. 

A farmer's boy, who had also heard the noise of the conflict, now came 
up and immediately ran to capture the heron, seizing it by the neck. He 
then tried to catch the weasel, but the little animal turned upon him in 
the most vicious manner, leaping up nearly to the height of his waist, in 




SURICAT; South Africa. 
Color brownish-gray, with dark stripes. 



104 



THE WEASELS FIERCE ATTACK. 



its effort to get at his hands or neck. It might have succeeded in this, had 
not a dog appeared on the scene, which soon despatched the little beast. 

Another incident, showing how Weasels will sometimes join forces when 
attacking an enemy, is thus described : — 

Chased by Weasels. 

A laborer who was digging a 
jj|| ditch, on a farm in one of the 
Western States, was suddenly 
attacked by six weasels, that 
rushed upon him from a nest 
which he had cut into with his 
shovel. 

The man was alarmed at such 
a sudden attack, and at once 
dropped everything and ran for 
a few steps. He was not very 
quick on his feet, however, and, 
looking around he saw his little 
pursuers close behind. Seizing 
a switch he tried, by several 
back-handed strokes, to stop 
them, yet so eager was their 
pursuit that he was on the 
point of being bitten by them, 
when he luckily noticed at some 
distance the fallen branch of a 
tree. Running to this, he 
„ IM „ ^ „ A • snatched it up, and with a few 

MINK; Europe and America. r> 

Color black or dark brown. Total length about 2 feet. It is generally vigXDrOUS Strokes killed three of 
found near the banks of rivers or ponds ; it takes to the water readily ,* 

and lives principally upon fish, frogs, and crawfish, with occa- ' his enemies and put the TCSt tO 




sionally smaller animals and birds. 



flight. 



Although the Weasel cannot be called a useful or valuable animal to 
man, except when he destroys the troublesome rats and mice, he has a 
near relation, called the Sable, which is one of the most highly prized 
little animals in the world. 

In the far north, where the snow and ice last nearly the whole year round, 



THE SABLE, 



105 



many persons make their living by trapping the Sable for the sake of its 
beautiful coat. The skins, when pieced together, make the highly prized fur 
garments which are worn by the rich and great people of different lands. 

The fur of the Sable is most beautiful in the coldest months, and during 
the long, severe northern winters, the hunters undergo terrible hardships, 
and even lose their lives amid the wastes of snow in which these richly 
dressed little creatures live. 

Often a heavy storm will suddenly come up, and cover up every bit of 




SABLE; Northern Europe and Asia. A variety is also found in North America and in Japan. 

Size about the same as a large house cat, but with much shorter legs ; color varying from black to different shades of brown. The 

skin of the' Asiatic Sable is specially celebrated for its beauty. The valuable fur of this animal is in its best condition during the 

coldest winter months. ' They make their nests generally in hollow trees, near the banks of brooks and rivers. During 

the summer the food of the sable is hares, rabbits, and sometimes birds which it strikes down among the branches by 

a well-aimed leap, and sharp stroke of its paw ; in winter, berries and even tender twigs form part of its food. 



the path the trapper has made for himself. The deep snow will even 
bury the hut in which he lives, and perhaps for days he will be unable 
to get out ; or, a heavy storm will come up suddenly and hide all his 
traps so that he cannot reach them. 

In spite of the danger of being buried in the great drifts of snow, 
which are heaped up by these fierce storms of the far north, there are 
many men who pursue this dangerous calling, and spend winter after 
winter in hunting the sable. They wear thick fur clothes from head to 



106 THE SABLE. 

foot, and patiently search for the tracks of the little animals, following them 
to their holes, which they burrow in the earth near the banks of rivers, in 
the thickest parts of the vast northern forests. 

Sometimes the burrows are in the ground, and sometimes a hollow tree 
is chosen for a home ; but wherever it lives, the Sable always takes care 
to be comfortable and warm, on a nice soft nest of moss and leaves. 

The trappers generally trace them to their homes by tracks in the snow, 
over which the light, active little fellows can easily run, while a man has 




PINE MARTIN OR AMERICAN SABLE; North America. 

Color dark brown, breast and throat yellowish white. Total length 2^ feet (of which the tail is about 10 inches). It lives principally 
among the trees, which it climbs with great agility, seeking to surprise and capture the birds and small animals which form its 

principal food. 

V 

to wear broad, flat snow shoes to keep himself from sinking waist deep. 
Usually the sables are caught in traps, and these must be cleverly made 
to avoid hurting the valuable fur. They are also caught by placing a net 
over the mouth of the burrow, into this the little animals go when they 
try to come out into the open air. The color of the Sable's coat is generally 
a rich, dark brown : sometimes it is quite black, and such fur is the most 
valuable. The skin is so soft and elastic that it can be stretched and turned 
freely in any direction, and will always lie smoothly, without wrinkling. 



THE STO ! . 



107 



Beside the rich Sable, the weasel family supplies us with another royal 
fur, the ermine. This is the winter coat of a little animal scarcely more 
than a foot long, called the Stoat. 

When winter comes, the bright brown fur of the Stoat changes into the beauti- 
ful, pure white oi the much-admired and costly ermine, only the tail keeps its jet- 
black color on the tip, all through 
the winter, and makes a fine 
contrast with the rest of its coat. 

On account of its valuable fur, 
these little animals are eagerly 
hunted and trapped, during the 
cold season, in the north : but 
even if they always wore their 
dull, summer coat of brown, 
which is of little value, their 
lives would still be sought, for 
they kill the farmers' chickens, 
rob nests of their eggs, and are 
very destructive to small game. 
Even hares and rabbits, which 
are so swift of foot, frequently 
fall victims to this bloodthirsty, 
little destroyer. 

A stoat's attack is thus de- 
scribed. 

Stoat and Rabbit. 
A piercing cry was heard 
beneath some bushes, and sud- 
denly out in the path ran a 
poor rabbit, bearing a 
which had fastened upon its 
neck. The rabbit leaped into the air, and jumped this way and that, in 
its effort to escape from its terrible little foe, but the stoat had sunk its 
sharp teeth in the back of the rabbit's neck and could not be dislodged. 
We noticed that the stoat was also holding on by its short but powerful 
fore-legs, while its long snake-like body was pressed close to the back 
of the struggling rabbit, impeding its every movement. 




BEECH MARTIN, sometimes called the White-Throated 
Martin. Northern Europe and America. 

StOat Total length about 2^ feet. Color dark brown ; breast and neck white. 
It is a tree climber, preying upon birds and robbing nests of their eggs. 



108 



THE STOAT. 



The unequal combat would soon have been over, if the stoat had not 
caught sight of us. It at once loosened its hold, ran to a hollow tree 
that stood near, and disappeared in an opening in the trunk. The poor 
rabbit lay motionless on the ground, and though the wound made by the 
stoat's teeth was very small, it soon ceased to breathe. 

Stoats are by no means cowardly, and when a number of them are 

together it may be very dangerous 
^^^^^^^^ffi^^^^FSfc to attack them. 

The Stoat's Fierce Attack. 

A man who was walking along the 
road one day, saw two stoats sitting 
in the path. Scarcely thinking what 
he did, he threw a stone which 
knocked one of them over. 

At once the other gave a loud, 
peculiar cry, which was followed by 
answering squeaks from the bushes 
alongside. In a moment a pack of 
stoats sprang out and made a most 
fierce and vicious attack upon the 
enemy who had injured their com- 
panion. They paid no attention to 
the kicks and blows aimed at them, 
but leaped upon him, and tried to 
reach his neck. 

As they were actually swarming 
over the man, he wound about his 
ne,ck a thick woolen comforter, that, 
fortunately enough he was wearing, 
and fought them off as best he could ; but soon finding that he would not 
be able to cope with them alone, he pulled his hat firmly over his temples, 
and pressing his hands tightly upon the comforter that covered the large 
veins of his neck, he turned and ran at full speed toward home. 

During the long run of nearly a mile, most of the little animals dropped 
off, but two of them held firmly to the man's clothing all the way, and 
were only killed at the very door of his house, by a friend who chanced 




STOAT, or Ermine; northern Europe. 

Total length 14 inches; color during the summer reddish-brown, 

and in the winter creamy white, excepting the tail, which remains 

jet black ; at this season the fur is highly prized. 



THE FERRET. 



100 



to come out to meet him. The narrator of the adventure shows sears on 
his hands and arms to this day, resulting from the bites of his fierce 
little assailants, and he firmly believes that but for the protecting folds 
of the comforter, his neck would have been wounded by their sharp teeth, 
and his life perhaps endangered. 

The Ferret is larger than the Weasel, but is of similar shape, and looks 
very much like its small relation except 
in color, which in the Ferret is very 
often pure white, the eyes being pink. 
One might think, from this pretty dress, 
that it was a gentle little animal, and 
would make a nice pet ; but it is, on the 
contrary, one of the fiercest members 
of the bloodthirsty weasel family. These 
very qualities, however, make it useful 
to man, and Ferrets are the companions 
of rat-catchers, and rabbit hunters, the 
world over. 

These Hunting Ferrets are trained 
to work their way into holes and bur- 
rows, and to drive the rats, or rabbits 
out to their masters. They have to be 
muzzled before they are sent into the 
holes, for if this were not done, they 
would kill the first rabbit they met, and 
after satisfying their hunger, could not 
be depended upon to continue the hunt. 

Almost any Ferret will readily enter 
a rabbit burrow, and drive out the 
inmates, for poor bunny does not think 
of resisting, but runs with all his might 
as soon as he sees his dangerous little 
pursuer. 

A well-grown and vicious old rat is, however, quite another kind of 
game, and, after suffering once from his bite, the ferret shows great respect 
for a rat's teeth, and does not always care to place itself within reach of 
these sharp weapons. 




FERRET. 

Total length about 15 inches ; color generally white ; origin- 
ally native of Africa, but partially domesticated in 
Europe and America, where it is trained to destroy 
rats. It is also sometimes used by rabbit 
hunters, to drive their game from the bur- 
rows in which it has taken refuge. 



110 



HUNTING RATS WITH FERRETS. 



A Ferret that has been well trained for rat hunting, is quite valuable. 

Once, a familiar figure in the streets of Philadelphia was " Harry 
the rat-catcher." Nobody seemed to know whether he possessed any 
other name, but for years he pursued his curious calling, and carried 
consternation into the ranks of the rat army which infested the great 
market houses, stores and stables. Harry was, as far as it was possible 
for him to be, a walking advertisement of his business. Of small, slight 
figure, with gray hair, but sharp-eyed and quick in his movements, there 
was something in his very appearance that suggested the wily rodents 




POLECAT; Europe and America. 

Total length 2 feet; color dark brown, head marked with white. A substance having an offensive odor is secreted in glands near the tail. 



which he pursued. Then he always carried three or four ferrets in a sort 
of box, or cage slung by a strap from his shoulder: their white snake- 
like bodies being plainly visible as they impatiently squirmed about in 
their narrow prison, apparently sure that the time was merely wasted, which 
was not spent in active pursuit of their furry enemies. 

A net folded up into small compass, but of considerable size, was snugly 
stowed away on the top of the box, and closely following his heels were 
two or three wiry little terriers. 

Harry's method of rat hunting was simple, but very effective, provided 



ffCXn.Xu RATS Willi FERRETS. 



Ill 



-\ 






the holes, or runs were not too extensive, and did not lead into distant 
burrows, or underground drains ; in which case, not only rats but ferrets 
also were sometimes lost. 

In most cases, however, the ferrets would be placed at the mouth of a 
burrow and would run quickly through it, driving before them the terrified 
rats, which, on appearing 
above ground, would either 
be seized by the watchful 
terriers, or enclosed in the 
net which was spread over 
the outlet of their retreat. 
Thousands of rats were thus 
killed, and the city relieved 
of at least a part of the 
destructive host, while the 
payment received for his 
services afforded for many 
years a modest, but suffi- 
cient support to the man of 
the nets and ferrets. 

All the animals of the 
weasel kind have a strong 
odor, or smell, which renders 
them anything but pleasant 
to touch or handle, but by 
far the worst of them in their 
evil smelling ways, are the 
Skunks. These little animals 
are very common throughout 

' ° SKUNK; North America. 

OUr Whole COUntry, and mOSt Length of body 1 8 inches, tail 12 inches. Color brownish-black and white. 

f , . The markings vary in different animals, some being almost entirely black 

OI US have, SOme time Or while others show much white. Skunks live in burrows which they 

, . r dig with their strong claws. 

other, been so unfortunate as 

to come upon their tracks, and thus get a whiff of their penetrating perfume. 
While many of the weasel tribe have two little glands or sacs, situated 
near the tail, in which is collected a liquid of more or less powerful odor, 
this substance in the Skunk is not only far more powerful and ill smelling 
than in any other animal, but the Skunk is enabled, by muscles attached 




112 



SKUNKS. 



.sa^:''- 






to the gland, to eject its vile contents eight or ten feet in the direction 

of any foe that may attack it, and thus use it as a weapon of defence. 
If, indeed, the Skunk had not this means of protecting itself, it would 

be a feeble and almost defenceless creature, for it cannot run fast nor can 

it climb or swim without great effort. 

The Skunk does not often use its singular power, unless attacked, and 

after the scent gland is once emptied it is 
inoffensive and harmless ; but woe to the 
man or beast against whom its powers 
are successfully directed. So strong is 
the disgusting odor that it can be dis- 
tinguished for a mile, and so offensive 
that persons frequently are made sick by 
coming close to the animal. Dogs will 
not approach it if they have once suffered 
from the consequences of an attack. 

Not always, when a Skunk is encoun- 
tered, will it exert its peculiar powers. 
This is probably owing, either to the 
animal's being too much terrified to 
attempt its usual mode of protecting itself, 
or, to its having recently exhausted the 
defensive fluid upon some other object. 
Like all the weasel tribe, Skunks are 
fond of poultry, and the hen-house often 
suffers from their midnight attacks. 

Trappers take large numbers of these 
little animals in the Western and Middle 
States ; their skins bringing a good price. 
After the furrier has carefully dyed the 
long thick hair, it appears a beautiful, 
glossy black, and is made up into muff 

or boa, to be worn by many a lady who never dreams that her soft, warm 

furs have first been carried by the evil-smelling Skunk. 




TELEDU ; Java. 

Color brownish-black, with white stripe along the back 

extending from head to tail. Entire length less than 

2 feet. The odor of this animal is almost as 

offensive as that of the skunk. Its food is 

principally worms and insects, for 

which it roots in the ground, like 

the pig. 



While most of the weasel family can swim, if forced to take to the 
water, there is one member of it, the Otter, which is much more at home 
in the water than on land. There are two kinds, the Sea Otter, which 



THE COMMON OTTER. 



113 



lives in the ocean, and the common Otter which is found in rivers and 
streams. The food of both is principally fish, and they are such rapid 
swimmers, and can dash through the water so quickly that they have no 
trouble in catching all they want. The Otter has a dainty taste, too, and 
only eats the best parts of a fish, leaving the head and tail untouched. 

It is wonderful to see how well fitted this animal is for its life in the 
water. Its body is long and flattened, and of a shape, from the nose to 
the very tip of its tail, that will slip through the water most easily. The 



... :■.■ .,■ < ~-~. 




COMMON OTTER; North America. 

Color brown. Length of body 2 feet; tail I foot. The Otter was once frequently found in the rivers and streams of this country, 

but it is now very scarce. It is a great destroyer of fish. 



feet have a broad web which connects the toes, making good paddles to 
drive the creature along. The tail is wide and flat, serving as a rudder to 
enable the Otter to make the quick and sudden turns that are necessary 
when chasing its finny prey. 

Although this animal finds its food in the water, its home is placed on 
dry land ; and is usually as snug and warm as it can be made, with dry 
grass and leaves. The Otter's nest, or bed, is placed in a hole burrowed 
into the bank of the river, being as near the stream as possible, so that 
in case of a sudden alarm its occupant can plunge into the water, with all 



114 



THE SEA OTTER. 



its family, and find a safer hiding place among the weeds and rushes of 
the river's bed. 

Only in the wilder parts of America are river Otters now to be found; 
and even in the quiet and well shaded streams that run through the 
dark northern forests, they are not at all numerous. 

It requires a great number of fish to keep but a single one of these 
animals supplied with food ; four or five good-sized trout a day is not at 




SfflWHlijjII 



SEA OTTER, or KALAN; Shores of the Northern Pacific Ocean. 

Color dark brown above; under parts and head light brown. The Sea Ottef is the largest of its kind, being 3^ feet in total length 

and weighing, when full grown, 80 pounds. Its thick, glossy fur is very beautiful, and so valuable that hunters upon 

the shores of the Northern Seas are constantly on the watch for the animal. The Sea Otter is never 

found in large numbers, but is rather scarce. 



all an unusual quantity for an Otter to devour. He is therefore a great 
foe to fishermen, and those who are fond of sport with hook and line, will 
be glad that he is not as common as some others of the four-footed tribe. 
The Sea Otter is somewhat larger than its fresh water relation, being 
almost twice the size of the common Otter, and weighing as much as 
seventy or eighty pounds. 



HUNTING THE SEA OTTER. 



115 



During the colder months of the year it is found on the Northern 
Pacific coast, but is a somewhat rare animal now, its exceedingly valuable 
fur having caused it to be much sought after. Sea Otter hunters, on the 
shores of Washington and Oregon, have a curious way of sighting their 
game. When the tide is low they take out three long, slender poles, as 
far as the shoal water extends, and then set them up with the ends buried 
in the sand, so that the tall tops cross each other in the air. 

Up this frail framework the hunter clambers and, sitting upon some 
cross-pieces lashed to the poles, watches with gun in hand, over the wide 



..— »>" .' 



-' 




ICHNEUMON, sometimes called Pharaoh's Rat; Egypt. 

Color brown, sprinkled with white hairs. Length of body 1 8 inches; tail nearly the same. The Ichneumon devours the eggs of the 

Crocodile and is thus-useful in keeping down the numbers of these great reptiles. Snakes, lizards and rats are also destroyed 

by it. Probably owing to these qualities it was considered a sacred animal by the ancient Egyptians. It is 

easily tamed and shows some attachment to its master. 

expanse of water which is visible from his high perch. As soon as an 
Otter is seen a shot is aimed at it, and if the bullet strikes the mark the 
game is secured by a boat. 

The fur of the Sea Otter is very valuable, being thick, soft and beautiful. 



The long, serpent-like body of the Ichneumon can turn and twist in any 
direction, as the little animal darts here and there in pursuit of its prey. 
It is common in Egypt and is highly valued as a destroyer of dangerous 
reptiles. 



116 



THE ICHNEUMON. 



Snakes, rats, mice, frogs and sometimes birds, fall a prey to this active 
little hunter. Small and weak as it seems, being no larger than a cat, 
yet the terrible Crocodile has reason to fear it ; for the Ichneumon hunts 
for the eggs of the great reptile, where it has buried them in the sand 
by the river, and destroys great numbers of them, and of the young- 
Crocodiles as well, thus doing good service to man by preventing the too 
rapid increase of this fierce monster. 

Sometimes the Ichneumon is tamed and kept about the houses of 
the people of Egypt and India. 

An American resident in Egypt says : I once caught a young Ichneumon 
which I took home, giving it plenty of milk to drink, and afterwards, when 




MONCOOS, OR INDIAN ICHNEUMON; India. 

Similar in color to the Egyptian Ichneumon, but of somewhat smaller size. 



it grew a little larger, fed it on baked meat, mixed with rice. It soon 
became even tamer than a cat, for it came to me when I called, and 
followed me all about. 

It thrived very well on this food and seemed so mild and harmless in 
disposition, that I began to think the stories about the fighting qualities 
of this active little animal were not true. One day, however, I found a 
small water snake and brought it home with me, as I was determined to 
see whether the natural instinct of " Inky " as I called him, would lead 
him to attack a reptile, such as he had never before seen. 

I put the snake down before him, and withdrew to watch the result. 
As soon as the Ichneumon saw the serpent, he seemed to fairly bristle 



THE BADGER. 



117 



with anger; his hair stood erect and his eyes sparkled with a fierce glow, 
that I had never seen in them before. The snake also seemed to realize 
that it was facing an enemy, and raising its head, darted out its forked 
tongue in a threatening manner; instantly the Ichneumon slipped behind 
the reptile and with a wonderful spring leaped upon its head, which it 
instantly seized and crushed between its teeth. 

Unfortunately, this first battle with a natural foe seemed to change the 
whole nature of my little pet, and, instead of contentedly eating his meat 
and rice and then going to sleep, rolled up in a ball, as formerly, he 




MAMPALON; Borneo. 

Color brownish gray. This animal is nearly related to the Ichneumons and resembles them in size and habits ; there are slight differ- 
ences in structure, the tail of the Mampalon being shorter and the legs somewhat longer than either the Ichneumon or Mongoos. 

seemed now to have a constant thirst for blood, and became so destructive 
to the poultry that I was forced to get rid of him, which I did by pre- 
senting him to a travelling merchant who called one day to dispose of 
some of his wares. 



The Badger is a strongly built and rather clumsy animal, with a long 
body, and short legs which are very well adapted for digging in the 
ground. It is generally found living in a quiet and lonely piece of woods, 
where it makes for itself a deep burrow, with a nice bed of leaves and 
hay at the bottom. 



118 



BADGER-BAITING. 



At the least sound that falls upon his listening ears, away goes the 
Badger into his deep hole, from which he does not put his head out again 
until sure that the coast is clear. These shy ways, together with his rusty 
coat of gray and quiet home in the woods, cause him to be but little 
known, although Badgers are to be found in many parts of our country. 

They are not at all particular about what they eat ; tender roots, ber- 
ries, eggs and insects all form a part of the varied bill of fare. 

Although the Badger is naturally a harmless animal, it can make a 
brave defence if attacked. Not only are its teeth long and sharp, but its 




BADGER; North America and Europe. 

Total length 2)/ 2 feet; color of lower part of the body and legs, black; head, black with white bands 

upon the centre and sides ; back, gray. 



jaws are so formed, at the joints, that when the animal closes its mouth 
the jaws lock together, and can hardly be forced apart except at the will 
of the stubborn owner. 

On account of the good fight it will make when attacked by a dog, the 
cruel sport of Badger-baiting used to be quite common. In this, a dog 
was set on to " draw " the Badger from a box, open at one end, and 
just large enough to easily admit the dog's body. Unless the attack 
was very skilfully made, and the Badger caught at once by the neck, 



THE WOLVERINE. 



119 



the dog would ho badly torn by the sharp teeth, and the Badger would 
remain in possession of its secure quarters. 

The long, curved claws of this animal, and its short, powerful legs, 
are ver y useful in digging; and that is work the Badger seems 
most fond of. Both the front and hind paws are used when it is making 
a burrow, and the earth is flung out quite a distance from the hole. 
Persons who have watched them while working say that they get rid of 
the loose earth, as their tunnel 
grows deeper, by backing slowly 
out, kicking all the while most vigor- 
ously with all four legs. 

The Panda, or Wah, as it is called 
by the natives of the countries in 
which it is found, is not much larger 
than the domestic cat. 

It lives among the trees, preferring 
those upon the banks of rivers and 
streams. 

As its home is far up the mountain 
sides in Northern India and Thibet, 
where the winters are long and cold, 
its feet are covered with wool and its 
fur is thick and soft. 



The Wolverine is a thick-set, 
strongly built animal, and, although" 
really belonging to the weasel tribe, 
looks very much like a small bear. 
Its paws are also broad and flat, 
leaving tracks that are sometimes 
mistaken for those of Bruin. 

The hardy men who hunt the 
valuable, fur-bearing animals of the 




PANDA; Northern India. 

Length from nose to tip of tail, 2^ feet. The fur of this beauti- 
ful little animal is of a reddish chestnut brown, the head 
fawn color, and the tail marked with dark rings. Its 
food chiefly consists of birds and their eggs, with 
smaller animals and insects which it finds 
in the trees where it lives. 



far north have good reasons for hating this greedy, cunning beast. It will 
follow the path of the trapper for miles, and, after he has carefully set and 
baited his traps with bits of meat or fish, the Wolverine will steal the bait 
from every one. 



120 A WOLVERINE ROBS THE TRAPS. 

If it happens that a beautiful sable, or marten, has been caught in the 
trap, the Wolverine likes that all the better and will eat the poor animal 
on the spot, leaving only a few bits of bone and skin to show the angry 
hunter what a valuable prize he has lost. 

To make matters worse, the Wolverine seems to know almost as much 
about traps as the trapper himself, and it is almost impossible to make one 
that will not awaken the suspicion of the cunning animal, and therefore fail 
to capture it. A fur-hunter of the Hudson Bay country tells this story: — 

A Wolverine Robs the Traps. 

Early in the season a cunning old carcajou, (the trappers' name for the 
wolverine), discovered my marten route, on which I had set nearly one 
hundred and fifty traps. Now I was in the habit of going over the line 
once a week, but the pesky beast came oftener than I did, and not a skin 
could I get — nothing but broken traps and bits of fur to be seen, every time 
I went over the route. 

At last I made up my mind to put a stop to his thieving, and to his 
life as well, cost what it might. So I made six strong drop traps. In each 
one a heavy log or stone was held up by a baited prop or trigger, set so 
as to let the weight fall as soon as the bait was touched. Besides these I 
set three steel traps, with powerful springs and toothed jaws strong enough 
to hold a bear. 

For three weeks I baited and watched these traps, without the least sign 
of the carcajou trying one of them ; and not only that, but the beast 
seemed to take more delight than ever in destroying my marten traps, 
eating the martens, and carrying off and hiding all the baits or martens it 
did not devour on the spot. 

As my plans had proved a failure, I gave up setting any traps for a 
while, until one day, having killed a lynx and taken off its skin, the 
thought occurred to me that I could use the remains in a way to capture 
my enemy. 

Now it is the custom of most trappers to leave the carcasses of fur- 
bearing animals, wherever they may happen to have been caught and 
skinned, so the carcajou would suspect nothing from this kind of a bait. 
I therefore dug a number of shallow holes in the ground beside the 
carcass, and in each one placed a steel trap, set with open jaws, ready to 
snap together upon the slightest touch of its flat, central trigger. 

Taking some slender twigs and stems, I carefully laid them across 




WOLVERINE, OR GLUTTON. 

The Wolverine is found over the greater part of the northern regions both of America and Europe. It grows to a total length of 
2,% feet, 10 inches of which is the tail. In color it is reddish-brown above, with almost black face and paws. 

[121] 



122 THE WOLVERINE OUTWITTED. 

the mouth of each pit, following these with a sprinkling of grass, earth,, 
and dried leaves, until the holes were completely hidden and the surface 
of the ground looked as if it had never been disturbed. I also scattered 
freely about some blood and bits of flesh from the lynx, so as to make 
the place look as much like the scene of an ordinary skinning as possible. 

The next morning I started bright and early to look at my new kind 
of trap. As soon as I got close to the place I heard some sounds which 
convinced me that at last the enemy had been obliged to surrender to my 
superior skill, and on reaching the spot where the carcass of the lynx was 
still lying, I found the mouth of one of the pits broken down and an old 
carcajou fastened by the hind leg to one of my steel-traps, which he had 
apparently struck fairly in his descent. 

Snatching up a heavy stick, I gave the cunning old thief, that had 
robbed me so often, a few hearty whacks on the back of the head, stretch- 
ing him out lifeless on the ground. Soon his own skin was added to my 
season's store of furs, and once more I could set my marten-traps without 
their being molested. 



BEAKS. 



123 




COMMON BLACK BEAR; North America. 

Length, about 5 feet ; weight, when full grown and in good condition, 400 lbs. Black Bears are found throughout our whole country ; 
even in the thickly populated Eastern States they have survived the hunter by living in the densest woods. 



The Bear. 

There are many varieties of Bear, and the animal is found in almost all 
parts of the world, except in those countries in which it has been killed 
or driven away by man. 

While all the Bears have a strong family likeness to each other, and 
show by their heavy, clumsy form, shaggy coat, and dog-like heads that 
they are near relations, yet there is a great difference in the size, color, 
and habits of the different varieties. 

Thus, the great White or Polar Bear of the North is almost as much at 
home in the freezing waters of the Arctic Ocean as it is on land, and its 
food is entirely the flesh of seals and fish ; while the Grizzly Bear of 
Western America, and the common Black Bear, which is found in almost 
every part of our country where there is a deep and lonely forest for 
its refuge, feed upon roots and berries as well as flesh. 



124 



WHAT BEARS EAT. 



All the Bears will eat meat when they can find it freshly killed, or are 
tempted by a fat, young pig or sheep, but, with the exception of the seal- 
hunting Polar Bear, it is seldom that they seek live creatures to kill and 
devour, as do the carnivorous beasts of prey. 

Many of the Bears are tree climbers, and easily find their way to the 
topmost limbs by grasping the trunk with their strong paws as they 




BROWN BEAR. 

This species is widely known, being found in many parts of Europe, Norway, Russia, Japan, and in the northern portions of 

North America. It is nearly 6 feet long and 3^2 feet high at the shoulder. 

ascend, and using their long, curved claws to keep from slipping. Although 
their claws are neither so much curved nor so sharp as those of the cat 
tribe, they can inflict terrible wounds upon an enemy. 

Bears hibernate, or sleep, through the cold winter months. Having 
roamed through the forest all summer, and until late in the autumn, 
finding plenty of berries, soft roots and nuts, they are very fat by the 



SLEEPING THROUGH THE WINTER. 



125 



time snow begins to fall. Then is the time that Bruin begins to think of 
taking his long nap, and going back into the darkest and niost unfrequented 
part oi the woods, funis some cave or great hollow tree, into which he 
crawls, and there, nestled upon a bed of withered leaves and grass, sleeps 
away the long", cold winter. 

For several months the Bear has nothing to eat, so he has great need 
of the fat he has gained in the summer, for during his long sleep this is 




MALAYAN, OR SUN BEAR. 

Malayan Peninsula and Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. Length, 4^ feet. Color, black, with crescent shaped white mark on breast. Its 
claws, and also its tongue, are veiy long, Loth being used in searching holes in the trees for insects. 

all that he has to live upon ; the hunters say that two or three times during 
the winter, when perhaps, the icy winds blow particularly strong, Bruin wakes 
up, and comforts himself by sucking his paws for a while ; then curling up, 
goes to sleep again. 

But after a while spring comes around once more, and some bright, 
sunny day the Bear opens his eyes, stretches himself, and feels that the 
time has come to leave his winter home, and begin life again in the 
free, delightful forest. 



126 



THE BEAR'S LONG SLEEP. 



So out he comes from his secure retreat, and looks hungrily around at 
the trees and bushes, which are just beginning to show signs of spring. 

A thin and starved-looking beast is the Bear at this time of the year, 
with ragged, rusty coat and skin fully a size too large. No one would 
know him for the same fat and sleek-looking fellow of four months ago, 
and no wonder, for all this time he has been without food, and has 




POLAR, OR WHITE BEAR; Arctic Regions. 

This variety is the largest of the bear tribe and sometimes grows to an enormous size. Voyagers to the far North tell of specimens 
which have measured 8 feet in length and weighed 1500 lbs. The White Bear is never found south of the Arctic circle, 

unless carried against its will by drifting ice. 

subsisted entirely upon the fat that was packed upon his round sides 
during the last summer's season of plenty. 

The Bear at once begins an eager search for food; he is not particular 
as to its quality at this time. Young shoots and twigs, soft roots, which 
he digs out of the ground, together with snails, worms and beetles of every 



THE GRIZZLY HEAR. 



127 



description, arc eaten with relish, until the warm sun ripens the welcome 
berries, fruits and nuts, and these finally restore to him the sleek and 
rounded form which has so shrunken during his long winter's fast. 

The Grizzly Bear of the Rocky Mountains is a giant of its kind, and is 
certainly one of the most powerful and dangerous animals that man can 
attack. Woe to the unlucky hunter whose bullet does not quickly find a 
vital spot; the great beast is upon him before he can think of defence. 







GRIZZLY BEAR. Carrying away Game Shot by a Hunter. 

These bears sometimes carry away and conceal for a future feast, by burying in the ground, deer and antelope which have been killed 

by hunters. 

Even the brave and experienced frontiersman thinks it no disgrace to 
run from an enraged Grizzly, and indeed considers himself very fortunate 
if mounted upon a fleet horse that can carry him out of danger. The 
Indians have always given great honor to the hunter who has attacked 



128 



A HUNTER'S ADVENTURE. 



and slain a Grizzly, and one of their most valued trophies is a necklace 



made of its great curved claws. 



•Ww' 



=*?> 







GRIZZLY BEAR AND CUBS; Northwestern America. 

The Grizzly is the largest of the Bear family, excepting the Polar Bear. It is of brownish, grizzly-gray color, and when full grown has 
been known to measure over 7 feet in length, and to weigh 800 pounds. It is the most savage in its nature of any of the Bears. 

s 

FiCxHT With a Grizzly. 

A Rocky Mountain hunter who was shooting elk and antelope for their 
hides, in a wild and desolate part of the range, suddenly came upon a 
huge grizzly bear in the dark forest with which this region is overgrown. 
The brute was busily engaged in tearing up the ground, now covered with 
a thin mantle of snow, as winter was near. It was searching apparently 
for roots and nuts, which it ate with great relish. 

Without considering the danger into which he was running, the foolhardy 
man hastily aimed his rifle at the unconscious animal, and pulled the trigger. 

With a snort of rage the great beast turned quickly toward the bush, 




BISON AND GRIZZLY. A Scene in the Rocky Mountains. 



[1291 



130 A HUNTERS ADVENTURE. 

behind which the hunter was concealed, and seeing the smoke of the rifle, 
took it for a challenge from the enemy, and rushed forward to the 
attack. The hunter had no time for another shot; the bear was almost 
upon him ; so he turned and ran with all his speed towards a clear space 
at the edge of the wood, where he had left his horse. 

The underbrush was thick, and the snow had in some places drifted to 
a depth of nearly ten inches, making the footing terribly uncertain. The 
hunter could hear the panting of the angry beast drawing nearer and 
nearer, its great weight enabling it to crash through every obstacle with 
undiminished speed. Only a short distance now separated them. 

But there was the clearing right ahead ; the hunter leaped desperately 
over the snow-covered ground, when, just as his eyes were cheered by the 
sight of his horse, his foot caught in a hidden branch and he fell headlong 
in the snow. He had only time to scramble to his feet when the bear 
reached the spot, and raising itself upon its hind legs, quickly advanced to 
the attack. 

The hunter felt for his knife ; fortunately it was at his side ; he pulled it 
from the sheath and awaited the onset. 

As soon as the bear came within reach he made a desperate lunge with 
the keen blade, but it was deftly parried, and the next moment the 
furious animal, with blood streaming from nose and mouth, the effect of 
the bullet which it carried in its side, struck its claws into the shoulder 
of its antagonist, and rolled with him on the ground. 

The hunter managed to keep a firm hold on his knife and plunged it 
again and again in the body of the bear, w r hile with teeth and claws it 
tore his flesh. 

Almost blinded with blood, and faint from pain and exhaustion, the man 
at last fell helpless upon the ground, when suddenly the bear stopped in 
its attack and turned as if to listen. The bark of a dog was heard ; in 
another moment several small hounds rushed to the scene of combat and 
made a fierce attack upon the bear, which soon was fully occupied in 
defending itself. 

Two hunters followed the dogs. Seeing the prostrate man, they suc- 
ceeded in drawing the bear away from the spot and quickly despatched 
it with two well aimed rifle shots, then hastening to the apparently lifeless 
form of the wounded hunter, they raised him from the snow. What a 
terrible sight met their eyes ; his flesh was so mangled, and his arms, neck 
and face so gashed and cut that he could scarcely be recognized. 




HELP COMES JUST IN TIME. 



[1311 



132 CALIFORNIA MINERS ATTACK THE GRIZZLIES. 

The men tore their shirts into strips, bound up the terrible wounds as 
well as they could, and carried the unfortunate hunter back to camp, where 
for many days he lay between life and death. 

He finally recovered, thanks to a strong constitution and to the pure 
bracing air of that mountain region, but will carry, for the remainder of 
his life, the marks of his fearful encounter. 

Another story of adventure with Grizzly Bears in the wild, mountain 
region of California, is told as follows : — 

The Miners' Battle with the Grizzlies. 

It was late in the fall on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, when 
three starving men crawled through a thick growth of bush, and suddenly 
found themselves facing several monstrous grizzly bears. 

Eagerly looking for signs of gold, the men, who were California miners, 
had allowed their provisions to become exhausted, and for two days they had 
been without food. Made desperate by hunger, they determined to attack 
the ferocious animals, and accordingly separated, each taking a different path. 

Soon there was the sound of shots, and one of the bears fell, apparently 
dead, while another, but slightly wounded, ran towards one of the three 
men, who was a long way off from his companions, as they had thought 
it better to attack the bears from different sides. Trying to re-charge 
his muzzle-loading gun, the hunter found himself unable to ram the 
ball down on the powder, and while in this defenceless state, the grizzly 
rushed towards him. 

The situation was desperate, but running back a few yards he came to 
a small tree, which he succeeded in climbing. Once in the branches, he 
used his gun to beat the bear off as it attacked the tree with the inten- 
tion of shaking him out. • 

While he was thus engaged in fighting off his assailant, he saw, to his 
horror, the other bear, which he supposed had been killed, rise and rush 
toward him. No blows that he could inflict on the wounded animal would 
check its fury ; at the first spring it made, the tree broke and both the 
bears jumped at him. He gained his feet and made with all speed 
down the mountain, where another small tree stood, about thirty yards 
away. He reached this tree with the wounded bear at his heels, and, 
seizing the trunk, swung his body around so as to give the bear room 
to pass him, which it did, plunging headlong down the mountain for 
about twenty yards. 



THE HUNTER'S NARROW ESCAPE. 



133 



Before the hunter could, with his failing strength swing himself into 
the tree, the second bear bounded up and seized his right ankle. By this 
time the wounded bear returned, and as he fell, snapped at his face. A 
sudden movement saved him from the glittering' teeth, but the bear turned 
and seized his left shoulder. 

Then commenced a terrific struggle. The maddened animals tugged in 
opposite directions at the unfortunate man's ankle and shoulder, so that 
he was in imminent danger of being torn to pieces. He fought as best 
he could, but this seemed only to intensify the rage of the savage brutes. 




SYRIAN BEAR. This species is found in the Mountains of Palestine. 

Color yellowish-brown, becoming nearly white with advancing years. Length about 5 feet. 

The hunter was almost fainting with pain, when the bear which had 
been previously wounded dropped lifeless by his side. Upon seeing this 
the other bear let go its hold. The man sank back on the ground, and, 
knowing it to be his only chance of escape, lay perfectly quiet, as though 
dead, hardly daring to breathe. 

The grizzly stood majestically over him, watching for the slightest 
movement, and snarling with rage. The pain that racked the wounded 
hunter's frame was frightful, and at the risk of his life he made an effort 



134 THE HUNTER ' S NA RR O IV ESC A PE. 

to assume an easier position. At the first movement the grizzly, roaring 
furiously, rushed forward. It shoved its nose close to his face and 
snuffed at him, but the hunter was again motionless, and the bear, raising 
its head, gave vent to unearthly screams. 

Knowing that his life depended on it, the man remained motionless ; 
after watching him for a few minutes the bear turned away and trotted 
up the ravine. 

When the hunter attempted to rise, he found that his right hip was 
dislocated ; his left shoulder chewed to the bone, while his clothing had 
been stripped from his body and his flesh torn in a hundred places. Inch 
by inch he painfully dragged himself from the spot until his companions 
found him and carried him to the camp. 

Here they remained, living upon the meat of the dead bear. After 
several days had passed, aid was obtained for the wounded man and he 
was able to regain his home. He, however, remained a cripple for life, 
and the many injuries he had received in the desperate encounter were 
eventually the cause of his death. 

The Bear of the Arctic Regions. 

The White, or Polar Bear grows to an enormous size. A large one 
was killed, and carefully weighed and measured by some Arctic voyagers 
during a recent exploring expedition. This immense Bear was so heavy 
that it had to be hoisted on the deck of the ship with block and tackle. 
It measured eight feet in length and weighed fifteen hundred pounds, or 
as much as a large ox. 

In appearance, the Polar Bear differs from all the rest of his tribe ; 
being of creamy white color; the head is somewhat flattened, the neck 
long, and the paws very large and /broad. Although so big and 
heavy, these Bears can run and swim very swiftly, and show great 
cunning in getting near enough to the seals to clutch them in their 
strong paws. 

Seals often lie upon the ice near a hole, or opening into which they 
can jump upon the slightest sign of danger. The Bear sees the seal 
from a long distance, and carefully lays his plans to catch it. By diving 
and swimming he gets quite near without being seen ; then making a 
deep dive and going a long way under the ice, the Bear rises out of the 
very hole beside which the poor seal is lying, thus cutting off its way of 
escape, and easily capturing it. 




AN ARCTIC SCENE. 



[135] 



136 THE POLAR BEAR. 

It is said that the Polar Bear will not harm a man who has the presence 
of mind to pretend to be dead. An old Esquimau, who had been almost 
scalped by a White Bear, tells this story : — 

A Blow From a White Bear's Paw. 

One day while traveling by myself over the ice, I espied a bear, and 
putting fresh powder in the pan (he had an old-fashioned flint-lock gun), 
I ran toward him. The bear also ran, but I got close enough to him to 
fire, and the bear dropped down dead, as I thought. 

A-ha! Mr. Bear, I have you this time, said I, and without reloading — 
truly, I was a fool — I walked up and struck him on the head with the 
butt of my gun. 

But instead of being dead he was only stunned, and my attack seemed 
to put life in him. Getting up he struck me a blow on the head to 
pay me back. His sharp claws tore the scalp down over my face, and 
my eyes were filled with blood ; I fell down flat on the ice, and said, 
" Go away, Bear, you have killed me ! " I then lay perfectly quiet. The 
bear, after smelling around me, ran away, and I lay still for a long time. 
Then, cleaning the blood from my face, I looked about carefully and 
saw the bear a good way off. I got up and managed to walk to my 
tent, but, as you see, he has marked me for life. 

The Polar Bear is sometimes hunted with dogs by the Esquimau. As 
soon as the tracks are discovered on the snow the dogs are set upon the 
trail, and drag the hunter swiftly after them upon his sledge. 

Not a sound is heard as they dash over the ice and snow, for the 
game must not be alarmed. As they turn the corner of some rocky head- 
land, or mass of ice, the bear is perhaps seen just ahead. The dogs 
spring forward with wild wolfish yells, trie hunter encouraging them by 
cries of " Nannook ! Nannook ! " which is the Esquimau's name for Bear. 
Loosening- his wild steeds from their traces the fight begins. The dogs 
surround their prey, and while busy defending itself from their fierce 
attack the hunter steals up and gives it a death-blow with his spear. 
If there are two hunters, the Bear is killed easily, for one makes a 
motion as if to thrust his spear into the right side, and, as the animal 
turns with its paws towards the threatened attack, the left is unprotected 
and receives the death-blow. Even if there is only one hunter he boldly 
assails the fierce brute and generally succeeds in killing it. 




WHITE BEAR AND WALRUS. 



[137] 



138 



THE RACCOON. 



■@& 




RACCOON : North America. 

Length ot body 2 feet ; tail 10 inches. Color gray, with dark bands across the face and upon the tail. 



The Raccoon. 

The Raccoon is found throughout the whole of the United States, and 
in many parts of Canada. 

It is a shy little animal, and can seldom be seen in the daytime, as it 
then lies snugly curled up and asleep in some hollow tree. But when the 
sun disappears, and the woods become dark and silent, then the coon wakes 
up, and climbing nimbly down from its lofty perch, begins to hunt for 
something to eat. 

Berries and acorns, wild grapes, birds and their eggs, frogs, held mice, 
and fish when it can get them, form the 'coon's varied bill of fare. It 
is also quite ready to steal a chicken or two, whenever it can get into 



HIE RACCOON. 



L39 







COATI-MONDI; South America. 

Length of body 20 inches ; tail 18 inches. Color 
reddish brown, with dark rings and stripes. 
The legs are black, and there is considerable 
white upon the face and jaws. Like the 
Raccoon, the Coati-mondi is a good climber 
and feeds upon fruit, insects, small birds, etc. 
Its snout is its most curious feature, being 
very long, and so flexible that the animal can 
turn it about in every direction. 



the farmer's hen-roost; and 
in the autumn, when the 
corn is ripening, many a 
good roasting ear will be 
missing from the stalk if 
there is a family of 'Coons 
in the woods near by. At 
this time they are apt to 
be very fat, and are said 
to make a good roast for 
the table. 



140 



'COON HUNTING. 



'Coon hunting is a sport that is known this whole country over, and 
many a farmers boy has raced through the dark forest, fallen over roots 
and stumps, and dodged under overhanging boughs while trying to keep 
up with the hounds which were tracking the 'Coon to its hiding place. 

As soon as the dogs have succeeded in following the game to the tree 
in which it has taken refuge, they leap about its base, making the woods 
echo with their sharp barks. The hunters hear the uproar and rush forward, 

.,.„,.._ .,..,^,,.. : , through brush and briar and over 

fallen logs, to the place where all 
this disturbance is taking place, and 
peer upward through the darkness 
in the hope of seeing a furry ball 
far up on a great limb. 

There he is ! cries some sharp- 
sighted young hunter, and sure 
enough, on a topmost bough is 
seen a round object plainly outlined 
against the faint lio-ht of the mid- 
night sky. A shot from a well- 
aimed gun brings a plump form 
tumbling down through the branches, 
and the 'Coon lands with a thump 
on the ground in the midst of the 
dogs, which soon shake the life out 
of its body, if any be left after the 
shot and fall. 

If uninjured, however, a full-grown 
Raccoon can make a strong fight. 
Its teeth are long and sharp, and 
the creature is very quick and active. 
A large one will give two good 
dogs all they can attend to for 
several minutes. 

On very dark, or cloudy nights, when there is not light enough in the 
sky to see the 'Coon as he rests upon his lofty perch, the hunters build 
a roaring fire near the foot of the tree, and when its bright blaze has 
lighted up the spreading branches the game is easily discovered. 

The Raccoon is a very clean animal, and always keeps its thick fur 




CACA-MIXTLI (Mexican Raccoon, or Raccoon 
Foxi; Texas and Northern Mexico. 

Color light dun, with tail ringed. Length of body about I % feet ; 

tail the same. It resembles the common Raccoon in its 

habits, living in the trees and making a nest in their holes 

and- hollows. It is sometimes tamed, and made a 

pet of by the settlers and miners of the wild 

regions in which it is found. 



A FARMER'S RA(\Di>.Y JHWT. 



141 



smooth and glossy, frequently going" to the banks of springs or brooks to 
dabble in the stream. 

When kept in captivity, a tank of fresh water should always be placed 
where the Raccoon can reach it, for it has a curious habit of washing 
almost every particle of food it gets, before eating it. Nuts or apples or 
bits of bread, and especially meat, are grasped in the hand-like paw and 
doused up and down in the water until thoroughly soaked. 

If caught when young and 
kindly treated, the Raccoon 
makes an interesting, though 
rather mischievous, pet, and 
its cunning ways afford a great 
deal of amusement. 

A New Way to Hunt 
Raccoons. 

A farmer tells the following- 
story about a 'Coon hunt : — 

My wife came in one morn- 
ing from feeding the poultry, 
and said that a fine turkey 
which we had been fattening for 
Thanksgiving day was missing. 

I at once went out, and after 
looking about carefully, found 
the track of an unusually large 
'Coon in the dust near the 
chicken-roost. 

Going back to the house, I 
got my rifle and an axe and then, calling Rover, the fox hound, started 
on the hunt. 

The hound found the scent readily, and uttering now and again his 
loud, musical bay, followed the trail right up to a large chestnut tree which 
stood near the edge of my cornfield. The tree was so large that I did 
not care to cut it down. So dropping my gun and axe, I climbed half 
way to the top, and there, as I had expected, found a hole in the forks, 
and looking in saw the turkey thief snugly curled up at the bottom. 

Not caring to risk my hand near his teeth, I thought of another plan. 




COMMON OPOSSUM; North America. 

Length of body 20 inches, tail 12 inches; color, gray. 



142 THE OPOSSUM. 

Going back to the house I got a half-filled powder can, and attaching 
a slow-burning fuse, climbed the tree again. After lighting the fuse, I 
lowered the can down into the hole, and quickly descended to the ground. 
Pretty soon a great sputtering showed that the fuse was doing its work, 
and immediately afterward I heard Mr. "Coon scrambling up the hollow. 
Just as his head appeared in the opening, Bang ! went my blast, and amid 
a shower of smoke and rotten wood, the furry rascal could be seen leaping 
to the ground. He alighted none the w T orse, apparently, for being blown 
out of house and home in such a violent manner, and gave Rover a 
hard battle before he was overcome. 

The Opossum. 

There is another little animal which shares with the Raccoon the 
doubtful honor of being hunted by the country boys of America ; it is the 
Opossum, or 'Possum, as it is more commonly called. 

Although living in the trees, and also feeding upon nuts, fruit, insects, 
and small birds, it is a far different animal from the Raccoon. It belongs 
to a distinct and very ancient family called the Marsupial, of which the 
Opossums are the single species living in America. Australia is the only 
other country in which the Marsupials are found, the Kangaroo being of 
this order, and the largest of its tribe. 

The peculiarity of these animals is that the young are carried by their 
mother in a little pouch. This pouch is a kind of pocket of skin, which 
the mother Opossums have beneath their bodies on purpose to carry their 
little ones in. The baby 'Possums spend the first five weeks of their 
lives in this safe and comfortable place, and although they go out after 
that time it is fully two months before they give up running back to it 
when frightened or hungry. 

The Opossum uses its long, rat-like tail in climbing, twisting it round a 
limb and holding fast by one, or both hind legs. It can often be seen 
thus hanging suspended over some wild grape vine, or nest full of eggs. 
But it is during the night time that the Opossum generally moves about 
and feeds. Then they prowl through the woods, hunting for nuts and 
berries, also catching insects, birds, field mice, or paying a visit to the 
farmer's hen-coop, where the little chicks make a dainty meal. 

Opossums are hearty eaters and grow very fat in the autumn ; they are 
then often hunted at night with dogs. When shaken from its perch upon 
the limb of a tree the little creature usually looks very fierce, giving 







lg|||||8s||||l 

fSllllMSlitlSl 



GIANT KANGAROO (Australia 



The largest of the Kangaroos : when standing erect, supported upon the lower parts of its hind legs and tail, it measures 

more than 6 feet in heir/lit. Color, vellowish-brown. 



H43] 



144 



THE KANGAROO. 



snarls and growls, and trying to bite ; but sometimes it pretends to 
be dead, and will then submit to being thrown roughly about, without 
showing the least sign of life. From this trick comes the common 
saying, — " Playing 'Possum." 

It is exceedingly hard to kill ; frequently, even after having been shot 
or struck a hard blow upon the head with a heavy club, it will get on 
its feet again and run off into the bushes. The flesh of the Opossum, 
when cooked, tastes a good deal like that of a young pig. 



The Kangaroo. 
The Kangaroo is the largest of the pouch bearers, and is found only 

in Australia and the 
islands near by. 

It is certainly one of 
the strangest looking 
animals in the world. 
Instead of walking 
upon the ground, as 
most four-footed crea- 
tures do, it goes along 
by a succession of 
jumps and bounds, 



only the hind 
legs, and seldom touch- 
ing the earth with its 
fore-feet. To fit it for 
this strange way of 
moving, nature has 




using 



THE LEAP, 



provided the Kangaroo 
with tremendously long and strong hind legs. So muscular and large 
of bone are these important members, that they look as if intended rather 
for some big deer or antelope than their small-headed, light-bodied owner. 
Kangaroos are very timid animals, and upon the least sign of danger 
go bounding away, clearing fifteen and twenty feet at every jump. 
Sportsmen use horses and hounds ; the frightened Kangaroo giving both 
dogs and men a good chase. When overtaken it is by no means 
defenseless, but will wound, and sometimes even kill, the clogs by blows 
from its muscular hind legs, the feet being armed with sharp claws. 



WHALES, SEA LIONS, AND SEALS. 



145 




FIN-BACK WHALE, OR RORQUAL, AND YOUNG; Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 

The largest whales are of this species, and among these the variety called the "Sulphur Bottom" attains the greatest size; the capture 

of one is recorded which measured ioo feet in length. The quantity of oil and whalebone yielded by Fin-Back Whales 

is very limited. They are also much more active and dangerous to attack than either the Sperm, or Right, 

Whales ; therefore they have been but little hunted, and are quite numerous. 



Ska Animals. 

Far out in the ocean, where great waves toss the big ships about as if 
they were little boats, the Whale can be found sporting in the stormy- 
waters. But though its home is in the sea, and although it can dive 
down into its dark depths, yet it must come up again to get air, for the 
Whale is not a fish, but an animal, and if it were kept under water for 
too long a time it would drown. 

The nostrils of the Whale, or "blow-holes," as they are called, are 
placed on the top of the head. When it comes to the surface to breathe, 
it blows out, with much force, the exhausted air contained in its lungs, so 



146 DIFFERENT KINDS OF WHALES. 

that the water which has settled in the upper part of the blow-hole, together 
with the surrounding spray and vapor, is thrown upward to a considerable 
height, sometimes rising twenty feet. This is the sign the hardy whale 
hunter looks for to tell him of the presence of his prey, and the shout from 
aloft, " There she blows ! " is a signal to lower the boats and be off. 

The tail of this great sea monster is enormously powerful, and drives it 
through the water with great speed. As the Whale is continually rising 
and descending, and does not swim constantly upon a level course, as do 
many of the fishes, its tail is set horizontally, so that a downward or 
upward blow will encounter the greatest pressure, and thus enable the 
animal to rapidly sink or rise. 

All Whales are not alike ; there are a number of varieties which not 
only differ in size, appearance, and habits, but occupy different parts of 
the ocean. There are two kinds which are especially sought by whalers. 
The Arctic, or Right Whale, is the most useful of these. Not only 
does its fat yield a great quantity of superior oil, but the roof of its huge, 
cavernous mouth is plated with the valuable whalebone ; the outward 
ends of this curious substance are split into a thick fringe, which lines 
the sides of the mouth, and serves as a strainer to sift out little shrimps 
and crabs from the great volume of water which the Whale takes into its 
jaws when feeding ; — for enormous though this animal is, often measuring 
sixty feet in length, its food consists entirely of these small sea creatures. 
The Right Whale has no teeth, and, its gullet being but a few inches 
in diameter, it cannot swallow large substances. 

The Sperm Whale differs considerably from the Right, or Arctic variety. 
The head is enormous, being equal to about one-third of its total length. 
The mouth contains no whalebone, but the lower jaw is armed with from 
forty to fifty sharp teeth. Sperm Whales eat various kinds of squid and 
cuttle fish, also other fish, which sometimes are of considerable size. This 
Whale also yields an extremely valuable oil, as well as the waxy 
substance called spermaceti, once so extensively . used for candles. It is 
one of the largest of the Whale tribe ; an old bull, as the whalers call a 
full-grown male, measuring from seventy to eighty feet in length. 

The Whale and its Captors. 
In the pursuit of no other animal does man brave so many dangers, 
or show such courage and hardihood, as when he attacks the gigantic 
Whale amid the waves of its native ocean. 



NEW ENGLAND WHALERS, 



147 



Not only (.Iocs he risk destruction from the great animal he attacks, hut 
the storms and icebergs of the extreme north, to which he penetrates, are 
even more to be feared, and man)' a ship's crew has frozen or starved, in 
drifting boats, or on the bleak and wind-swept shores of the Arctic ocean, 
after their vessel has been crushed like an egg-shell in the ice-pack. 

In former days, Nantucket, and New Bedford, Massachusetts, were the 




^ 



P^! 






SPERM WHALE. 

This specie? inhabits all the oceans, from the Polar to the Antarctic. It is much thinned in numbers, however, from its pursuit by 
whaler:, during past years, and is not often found in the Atlantic ocean. Length of full grown male 70 to 80 feet. 



home ports of a great fleet of whaling vessels. These sailed the world 
over, in voyages lasting sometimes two years or more, and brought back 
to their New England owners great cargoes of oil and whalebone. 

A growing scarcity of Whales (owing to the constant pursuit of them), 
and the discovery of petroleum, have long since taken away from the 
industry its former importance ; but many w T haling vessels yet sail the 
seas, and many hardy whale-hunters still follow their dangerous calling. 



148 



WHALERS AND THEIR WEAPONS. 



Whale-Boats. 
Every whaling ship carries eight or ten strongly built boats ; these hang 
from supports projecting over the water, and each contains oars, harpoons, 
lines, provisions, water, and everything necessary for the capture of the 
Whale, and for the support of the men during an absence from the ship 
that may last many hours. 




SEA LION ; North Pacific, from Behring's Strait to California and Japan. 

Length of a full-grown male 13 to 14 feet; girth at chest 7 to 9 feet; weight 1000 lbs. Color light reddish-brown. Although large and 
powerful it is a timid animal and flies from man. Sea Lions are quite frequently seen upon the rocky islands of 

the Northern California coast. 



Let us suppose that a school of Whales, or a single one of the great 
monsters, has been sighted by the lookout man, always stationed at the top 
of the mast. " There she blows," is the cry from above, and then follows 
a scene of excitement. The watch on deck rush to the boats to which they 
belong, while the sleepers, or watch below, tumble out of their berths. 

The captain directs the particular boat to be lowered, and into her the 



LEAVING THE SUIT. 



149 



boat-steerer and crew soon take their places. "Lower away" is the next 
command, and as the falls, or supporting ropes, slacken out, the boat 
touches the water, her crew are ready at their oars, and with a strong, 
steady pull the vessel is left behind. 

When squarely in the water, if the wind allows, sail is set on the boat. 
The boat-steerer, who is the officer in charge, steers with an oar which 
rests in the gunwale alongside of the stern-post, both ends of a whale- 
boat being sharp. * 




HARP, OR GREENLAND SEAL. 

Length 5 leet, color gray and black. Seals of this species are very numerous in the Arctic regions. Thousands of them can be seen 
in the Spring, upon the floating ice near Newfoundland and Labrador ; vast numbers are killed yearly for their hides and blubber. 



Harpoons and Darting-Guns. 

Steadily and noiselessly the boat approaches the great beast, the men's 
nerves strung to a high degree of tension. Not a whisper can be heard, 
nor any sound save the drip of water from the oars. The Whale, as if 
resting or playing, as he often does amid the ice in the spring of the 
year, emits a soft yet sonorous breathing, resembling the drawn-out sighing 
of a forest of trees during a wind storm. By this time the boat is in 
such a position that the Whale can be reached with a harpoon. 

In the old days of whaling, the harpoon was simply a barbed spear, some 
six or eight feet long, to which the line was fastened. The harpooner 



150 



BOMB-LANCES AND HARPOON-GUNS. 



hurled this weapon by hand, and sunk its point into the back of the 
floating monster by strength of arm alone. Although this is still largely 
used by boat-crews for first fastening to the Whale, there have been 
invented various bomb-lances and harpoon-guns to which the explosive 
power of gunpowder gives more deadly force. 

Balancing the heavy, barbed weapon in his hand the harpooner now 
stands ready ; he sees that the line attached to his iron is clear of kinks 




CRESTED SEAL. 

This species takes its name from the peculiar shape of the head. It is usually found in the Arctic Seas, but occasionally is seen as far 

South as New Jersey, and even Chesapeake Bay. It is not a common variety. The full-grown male attains a length 

of from 7 to 8 feet. When pursued it sometimes will turn and fight fiercely, and is regarded by 

the Esquimaux as one of the strongest and most courageous of the Seal tribe. 



and snarls. With body thrown back and feet firmly planted, he awaits 
the supreme moment. 

As soon as the Whale is within striking distance the iron is thrown, 
penetrating, if an expert hand has directed it, to a firm hold. The 
harpoon is fast, the Whale feels the instrument of torture in its back 
and rushes madly off through the waves. Then come the orders, " Stern 
all!" and "Wet line" — for as the line runs out from the tubs over the 
bow of the boat at lightning speed, it requires continual wetting to keep 
it from being burnt by friction. 

Presently the rope can be made fast, and the boat is being towed by 



MAKING FAST TO A WHALE. 



151 



the Whale at a tremendous pace. But the animal lias to come up to 
breathe ; then the line slackens so the crew can haul it into the boat, and 
soon the wounded monster is near to them again. Now comes the chance 
to use the explosive bombs. These have no line attached to them. They 
are fired from a heavy gun, which is aimed from the shoulder, and are 
exploded by means of a time fuse after being buried in the carcass of 
the Whale. 




LEOPARD SEAL; Coasts of Australia, New Zealand, and the Antarctic Ocean. 

Length about ten feet, color gray and black. 

When the boat has drawn up to within twenty or thirty feet, one of 
these explosive shells is planted in a vital part, and almost immediately 
the muffled report of its bursting is heard. Then the dying struggles of 
the Whale begin. Spouting its life blood, the water is tinged all about 
with the ruddy hue. Swimming round and round, the poor brute heaves 
almost human sighs, and finally, with a gigantic nervous thrill and shake, 
gasps its last breath and turns on its side or back, dead. 



152 



THE WHALE'S DEFEASE. 



Of course, there are many times when all does not go so successfully. 
The Whale frequently dashes off at race-horse speed, and tows the boat 
for miles without giving any sign of tiring. Nothing then remains to 
be done but to cut the line and start on a weary row back to the ship. 
Again, a Whale may rush upon the attacking boat and crush it in its 
gigantic jaws, or sweep it out of existence by a blow from the flukes (or 




SEA ELEPHANT; Coasts of California and Mexico. 

This animal is the largest of the true Seals. It was formerly common off the coast of California, but has been so much shot at and 

disturbed that it is now very scarce. Fourteen feet is the average length of a full-grown male, and even a greater 

size is sometimes attained. The color varies from brown to leaden gray. 



tail). The capture of a Whale, therefore, is full of perils at all times. But 
it must be said that the undertaking has been shorn of some of its 
dangers by the introduction of guns and explosive bomb-lances. 

After the Whale is dead it is brought alongside the ship, the fat or 
blubber cut off and " tried out " in great i r0 n kettles, after which the carcass 

o 

is cast adrift and floats away, surrounded by countless feasting sharks. 



WALRUS A.XD SEALS. 



153 



The Walrus, the Sea Lion, and the many different varieties of Seal live 
in the ocean and upon the shores, elose to the waters edge. Although 
they can scramble up the steep banks of the rocky islands and ice-covered 
borders of the Northern seas, where they are chiefly found, they move but 
slowly on the land, with their bodies resting upon the ground, and with 
only tins instead of legs to aid their progress. 







A SEAL ROOKERY, OR BREEDING GROUND. 



On the unpeopled shores of the icy seas, under the Arctic and Antarctic 
circles, and still nearer to the Poles, these animals may be seen by 
thousands on the rocks, or on the cold and glittering ice. 

Their food is fish, and of these they consume enormous quantities, 
seizing them in their sharp teeth as they dash rapidly through the 
water. 



154 



A SEAL ROOKERY. 



The Fur Seal, from which the skin is obtained to make the beautiful 
and costly sealskin garments, is the most valuable of all the Seal tribe. 
It differs in its habits from other Seals, and, indeed, from any other known 
animal, for it actually spends one-half the year entirely in the water, and 
the other half almost entirely on land. 

A few islands in Behring's sea, known as the Seal Islands, are the only 
known breeding places of the Fur Seal. All through the winter months 
these desolate places are quiet and deserted, but when spring comes, and 
the ice melts, then the Seals begin to arrive from the warmer waters of 
the Pacific ocean, in which they have passed the winter. 




FUR SEAL; Northern Pacific. 

This is the species from which the valuable Seal-skin fur is obtained. In color it appears nearly black, changing to grayish upon the 
shoulders, and reddish brown below. Length of full grown males 7 feet, weight 500 lbs. 



In a few more weeks a wonderful change has taken place in these 
barren islands. They are now teeming with life, and a densely packed 
and constantly moving mass of animals can be distinguished from a great 
distance. A hundred thousand or more Seals may be seen closely crowded 
together upon the rocky shores of their summer resting place, while a 
dull, hoarse roar greets the ear from tens of thousands of throats. 

In all directions are to be seen the male Seals, each guarding his family, 
which may consist of from one to forty females and their young, according 



~ 



— 

•J -• 



~v-> 





WALRUS. Arctic Regions. 

This animal is not very common, but numbers can still be found on the coasts of Labrador, East Greenland, and also in Behrings 

Straits. It is of heavy, unwieldy form and large size, sometimes measuring 13 feet in length and weighing 20DO pounds. 

In color it is brown. The powerful tusks, which grow downward from the upper jaw to a length of nearly 

2 feet, are of fine ivory ; the Walrus uses them in climbing upon the ice and rocks, and for defence. I* 5 ''] 



156 * A SEAL "DRIVE." 

to his ability as a fighter. Every family occupies a certain space, which 
is secured after many a battle on the part of the bull Seal, and is most 
jealously guarded, especially if it is situated near the edge of the water, 
for these are the stations most highly prized, and can be held only by 
the strongest animals. 

Closely packed as the creatures are, the mass of life is divided here 
and there by paths, where the young males, or " bachelors," are passing 
to and fro from the sea. These paths lead to the rear of the " rookery," 
as the summer stopping place of the Fur Seal is called, and here the 
young bulls live, for they are not permitted by their elders to enter the 
breeding grounds, except to pass up and down to the water by their 
regular paths, until they are five years old. 

A great many never reach that age, however, for when three and four 
years old their fur is most glossy and beautiful : then, too, as the bachelors' 
quarters are some distance away from the family grounds, these young- 
males can be driven off and killed without disturbing the females and 
their young, upon which the continued existence of these valuable animals 
largely depends. 

When, therefore, a " drive " has been decided upon, the sealers run 
between the young bulls and their pathways to the sea, and drive away 
those selected for killing to a place some distance from the rookery. Here 
they are knocked on the head with a heavy club, and their valuable skins — 
the cause of all their troubles — quickly removed, after which their carcasses 
are left to rot upon the shore of their island. 

The rough, hairy coats of the living Seals do not look at all like the 
soft, dark-brown fur which we see in the costly garments made from their 
skins. This is because only the short under-fur is used. In preparing 
the hide the inner side is scraped until it is reduced to half its thickness, 
and the roots of the long strong hairs, which penetrate the skin most 
deeply, are cut off, after which they are easily removed. The roots of the 
delicate under-fur are not touched by the scraping-knife, and consequently 
it retains its hold : even the rich, dark-brown color of the finished furs is 
not natural, but is produced by dye. So important is this industry that 
the destructive and short-sighted methods of British-Columbian seal- 
hunters who, in the early spring, shoot and harpoon the Seals while 
swimming towards their breeding islands, in the open waters of the 
Behring Sea, have at times caused serious controversy between this 
country and England. 



THE ELEPILIM. 



157 




SKELETON OF AN ELEPHANT. 



The Elephant. 

Of all the wild animals in the world, none excites so much curiosity 
as the Elephant. Not only is it the largest of the land creatures, but its 
strange shape, resistless strength, and great sagacity render it an object 
of interest to thousands of persons who are ordinarily little concerned 
about even the strangest forms of animal life existing upon the globe. 

In mere size alone the Elephant is indeed a wonderful creature : when 
it is considered that a large horse weighs but fifteen hundred pounds, 
and that the weight of a full-grown African Elephant is twelve thousand 
pounds, an idea can be formed of the ponderous bulk of this huge beast 

The neck of the Elephant is short and thick, so as to support the 
heavy head and tusks ; it therefore cannot stoop when feeding, like the 
horse or cow ; all its food must be picked up and carried to its mouth. 
The long, flexible trunk performs this service, and is, perhaps, the most 
wonderful part of the huge creature's body. 

So strong is this useful member that it can seize a man and dash him 
senseless to the earth, and yet so sensitive, that with it the Elephant can 



158 



DIFFERENT KINDS OF ELEPHANTS. 



pick up a penny from the ground and hold it out, clasped in the little 
finger-like tip. 

The trunk is really the nose of the Elephant as well as its arm and 
hand ; for it contains two hollow tubes, and through it the animal can 
smell and breathe. Even the water that it drinks is sucked up by the 
trunk and afterward discharged into the mouth ; in fact, so important is 
this member that without it the Elephant would soon starve. 




AFRICAN ELEPHANT. 

This variety is found, in a wild state, throughout Southern Central Africa. Well-known explorers of these regions say that specimens 

have been seen which exceeded 12 feet in height. In shape it differs from the Asiatic (or Indian) Elephant: the back 

being hollow, the head long, and the ears enormous, completely covering the shoulders when thrown back. 

In color both varieties are a rusty black. 



The Elephant and the Basket of Rice. 

As showing how the trunk can be used in picking up small substances, 
a resident in India says : — 

I had an Elephant which would eat every bit of rice in a round wicker 
basket, by sucking the grains up into its trunk and then blowing them 
into its mouth. 

The basket was closely woven and quite smooth inside, but, although 
brimful, the Elephant would empty it of every grain, and leave it as clean 
and bare as though it had been wiped out with a sponge. 



DIFFERENT KLXDS OF ELEPHANTS. 



159 



The trunk is eight feet long. 



Its flexibility and strength are due to 
interlaced but separate muscles, estimated to number not less than 40,000. 

There are two different kinds of Elephants, those of Africa and Asia. 

The larger of these is the African Elephant, which lives in a wild state 
in the dense forests of the interior, generally near some river, in which it 
loves to bathe and wallow during the heated seasons of that tropical land. 

As the tusks of the Elephant furnish the finest ivory, thousands of 
wild African Elephants are slaughtered every year for their valuable tusks 




ASIATIC (OR INDIAN) ELEPHANT. 

Nine feet is a good height for a full-grown male of this variety, and 8 feet for a female. The largest Indian Elephants do not measure 

more than 10 feet in perpendicular height. Those which are most valued have the head large, majestic; the trunk thick 

and massive ; the skin soft ; the body well rounded ; and the back slightly arched ; highest at the shoulder 

and not sloping too suddenly toward the tail, as in the African variety. 



alone. Hunting these great beasts is attended with great danger; the 
charge of a wounded Elephant being irresistible in its furious onward rush. 
An African traveler and hunter, who has followed and laid low many 
of these gigantic beasts in their native wilds, tells the following story: — 

Hunting African Elephants. 
Our camp was near the river bank, and during the night Elephants had 
been heard to cross the shallow ford, trumpeting and splashing about as 
they waded to the other side. 



160 



HUNTING WILD ELEPHANTS. 



In the morning we determined to look for them in the dense forest 
which grew upon the opposite bank. As soon as we had crossed, we 
found the tracks, plainly showing in the soft ground, and saw that the 
herd consisted of five Elephants, all bulls, two of which appeared to be 
giants. (This knowledge of the foot-prints the hunter soon gains from a 
study of their size and shape.) 

As there was every probability of there being some heavy ivory among 
these big fellows, we quickened our pace, with the hope of soon overtaking 
them. After an hour's hard tramp along the river bed and through the 




THE GIANTS OF THE HERD. 



woods, now on one side of the river, and now on the other, we at last 
came to a place where broken branches of the trees, and leaves scattered 
upon the ground, showed that the animals had been feeding. 

My Zulu guide, known by the name of Mopolo, who carried my spare 
gun, was in front, leading the way cautiously in the direction taken by 
the herd. Suddenly he stopped, bent his back, and ran for shelter behind 
a tree — the game was in sight. 

After looking carefully to the guns I advanced a few steps, and, peering 
through the thick growth of young timber which skirted an open space 
covered with long grass, saw the herd. There were two immense tuskers 
standing head to head, as if talking together, and three smaller bulls. 




AN OLD TUSKER. 



[161] 



162 THE ELEPHANT CHARGES. 

After going forward about two hundred yards, carefully parting the long 
grass as I advanced, I came near one of the Elephants. I soon saw that 
it was one of the young bulls. So, without disturbing him, and keeping 
him to windward, I went on further in search of his larger companions. 
- A moment later Mopolo, who was advancing a little to the left, saw one 
of the giants of the herd, which by this time had separated from the 
others. He pointed in the direction of the beast without speaking; 
instantly I also saw him. He appeared a veritable monster; but as I 
could not get a shot at his side from where I was standing, I had to 
creep a considerable distance toward the right before I could see the 
proper mark for a fatal wound. 

The animal appeared very uneasy and suspicious of danger, having 
probably scented us, but I managed to crawl within twenty-five yards of 
him, and, kneeling behind a tall ant-hill, aimed at a mark just behind the 
edge of the great ear and fired. 

Instantly the Elephant charged headlong through the smoke which hung 
a few paces beyond our place of concealment, and halted, while I slipped 
around to the other side of my shelter and gave him the other barrel. 

This shot appeared to stagger him for a few minutes ; then he seemed 
to recover, and again rushed headlong at the tell-tale smoke which hovered 
in the still, warm air, just above the ground. 

Mopolo now pushed the spare gun into my hand, and turned to go back 
to his hiding place in the thick grass to my right. 

The wounded beast continued to stand still. His ears flapped out and 
his trunk swayed to and fro, as if trying to hear, or scent out, the hidden 
enemy which was dealing him such deadly blows. 

At this moment my guide, either in changing his position or while 
trying to reload the empty gun, made an unfortunate movement which 
attracted the attention of the Elephant. The great head quickly turned in 
the direction of the sound, and the little, red eyes of the angry monster 
twinkled savagely as he caught a momentary glimpse of his foe, then, 
uttering a shrill scream of rage, he charged down upon the frightened 
Zulu. I was unable to get; a fair shot at the flying brute, and stood 
transfixed with horror, awaiting the apparently certain destruction of my 
faithful attendant. 

The furious beast soon reached the spot where the man was concealed 
in the long grass, and the next moment I saw his body, tossed upward 
by the Elephant's tusks, fall bruised and torn some distance away. 



TOSSED IX THE AIR. 



163 




DEATH OF THE GUIDE. 



The Elephant turned to follow his victim, evidently intending to crush 
out, under his ponderous weight, any life that might remain. But in 
turning the brute presented his full side fairly toward me. I instantly 



164 THE SHOTS THAT KILLED. 

took aim, and pressing both triggers of my heavy double rifle sent a 
couple of bullets, as I afterward discovered, straight through his lungs. 

The sorely wounded monster tried to charge upon me, but could not, 
and then stood, grievously hurt but determined to hold his ground, 
presenting a grand picture of courage and resolution, as, chained to the 
spot and plainly unable to further resist the destroyer, his eyes still shot 
forth defiance, his great ears stood out at right angles from the body, 
while almost continuously there sounded forth from the trunk, now pouring 
with blood, a long trumpet blast of defiance. 

But the effect of the bullets, which had pierced his vitals, could not long 
be withstood ; the great head began to sink, a few tremulous movements 
of the gigantic carcass took place, a stagger, and then that tower of animal 
matter came down with a crash that seemed to make the whole earth 
tremble. 

I at once ran to the place where the body of my unfortunate guide had 
fallen. He was stone dead, having been frightfully torn by the Elephant's 
tusk, as well as bruised and crushed by the powerful trunk. 

Sadly, I turned away, and calling the remainder of our party together, 
we carried the body of the poor fellow back for burial. 

Later, the natives returned to the scene of the conflict, and, apparently 
little affected by the death of one of their number, quickly chopped out 
from their sockets the valuable tusks of the fallen monster, and laden 
with these, as well as with liberal slices of the meat, came back to the 
camp, to spend the rest of the night in feasting upon their favorite food. 

Slaughter of African Elephants. 

Owing to the constant pursuit of the Elephant, by native and white 
hunters, the day must soon come when they can no longer be obtained. 

Besides furnishing the valued ivory, the Elephant's huge carcass supplies 
the Africans with large quantities of meat, which they eat with the greatest 
relish. Pieces of its thick, tough hide, stretched upon frames of wood, form 
their shields, and its fat, when boiled down, is greatly valued. No portion 
of the animal is wasted by the natives, and, indeed, Europeans who have 
been present at such scenes, say that it is a most disgusting sight to 
see a howling horde of naked people tearing and hacking in pieces the 
body of one of these fallen giants. The black forms of the savage execu- 
tioners become covered with the blood which flows from the great carcass, 
and the earth round about is dyed red with gore. 



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166 CRUELTY OF THE NATIVES. 

An African savage never shows any sympathy or pity for a wild 
animal, his only desire is to destroy. A traveler and explorer says : — 

During a long residence in Africa I never once saw a tamed wild 
animal in the hands of the natives ; their brutal natures seem to be 
incapable of forming any attachment for such dependent creatures. 

Trapping Elephants. 

Not only are Elephants hunted with the spear and rifle, but the African 
employs various means for trapping them. 

The pitfall is the most common kind of trap used ; it is always set in 
a path leading to the water, for Elephants are thirsty brutes, and nightly 
seek the river for their regular drink or bath. The pits or holes are 
about twelve feet deep and are covered by reeds or branches, over which 
earth is sprinkled ; one is placed in the middle of the path, and others 
are dug some distance away upon either side. 

The night arrives ; — the unsuspecting Elephants, having traveled many 
miles of dusty, sun-dried wilderness, rush down the well-known road to 
quench their thirst in the welcome river, when, — Crash ! goes their leader 
into a carefully concealed pit-fall. 

Away to the right and left rush the frightened herd, alarmed at the 
unexpected accident to their companion. But the other pitfalls, cunningly 
placed out at the sides to meet this sudden panic, are crushed into by 
the fleeing animals, so several more fall victims before the remnant of the 
herd finally escapes from the dangerous vicinity. 

In the morning the trappers come to examine the pits, and soon look 
down on the broad backs of the helpless captives as they desperately 
struggle to ascend the steep sides of their prisons. 

Now the long, sharp spears of the natives are brought into use, and are 
plunged repeatedly into the quivering bodies of their prey, until the 
gigantic animals at last die from loss of blood. 

The Fire Hunt. 
There is another terrible way of destroying Elephants in Central Africa : — 
During the dry season, when the tall, withered grass burns most easily, a 

herd of Elephants may sometimes be seen feeding in the centre of a field. 
At once all the natives in the neighborhood assemble together, and, 

forming a circle, perhaps two miles across, set fire to the grass so as to 

surround the feeding Elephants with a ring of flame. 



FIRE HUNTING, 



167 



Now, an Elephant is naturally very much afraid of fire, and has a 
great horror of the crackling and snapping of flames; so as soon as the 
blazing circle approaches the doomed beasts they attempt to escape to 
a place of safety, but at every turn they are met by the terror-inspiring 
flames. At length, half suffocated by the dense smoke, threatened by the 
roaring flames, and panic-stricken by the wild shouts from their tor- 
menters, whose black forms can be seen assembled in hundreds outside 
the fatal circle, the unfortunate animals charge recklessly through the fire, 
burnt and blinded, to meet the spears or guns of the blood-thirsty crowd 
of natives, who are eagerly awaiting this last stampede. 




A FIRE HUNT. 



Sometimes one hundred or more Elephants are destroyed in one of 
these fire hunts. As soon as the victims have fallen under their wounds, 
the wild horde of natives rush upon the prostrate forms, with knife in hand, 
and cut the flesh from the bones in long strips, which are then dried. 

A great part of the animal is usually smoked upon frames of green 
wood, and the harvest of meat is shared in by all the natives who have 
taken part in the hunt. The tusks are also shared, a certain portion 
belonging by right to the various head-men or chiefs. 

Occasionally, however, after having set fire to a considerable extent of 



168 



THE INDIAN ELEPHANT. 



dry, grass-covered country, the flames get beyond the control of the native 
hunters, and a wild flight before the advancing blaze is all that remains 
for them. 




FIRE HUNTERS NARROWLY ESCAPE THE FLAMES. 



The Indian Elephant. 

While the African Elephant has rarely been tamed, or trained to be of 
service, those of Asia, for hundreds of years, have been the useful servants 
of man. 

One of the most striking spectacles to the stranger in India, is to see 
these great animals used in many parts of the country, as beasts of burden. 

The native princes and rajahs of India, pay high prices for large and 
handsome Elephants, and take great pride in the ornamental trappings with 
which they adorn their monstrous steeds on occasions of public display. 




A BABY ELEPHANT. 



170 AN ESCAPED ELEPHANT. 

Sometimes a % cloth of silk, so closely embroidered with heavy gold as 
to be of enormous value, nearly covers the animal, while the ornamental 
car, or howdah, which towers above its back is equally rich in decoration. 
Frequently there may be one hundred Elephants in one of these native 
processions, and as all of the great beasts are decked out with gold and 
embroidered coverings, and carry large silver bells suspended from their 
tusks, they present a splendid appearance. 

The prices of Elephants in India vary as much as do those of horses 
in this country. A sum equal to seven or eight thousand dollars of our 
money is sometimes paid for a fine specimen, which in size, gentleness of 
disposition, and perfect training, satisfies the requirements of a rich eastern 
prince. 

As the Elephant lives to be one hundred years old, it therefore exceeds 
in the length of service it renders its owner all other domestic animals. 

Wild Elephants, are also found in India, and sometimes they do an 
immense amount of damage to the plantations and villages of the natives. 
Strange to say, the most dangerous and ferocious of these wild Elephants 
are those which have spent some years in captivity, and have been trained 
to the service of man. After escaping from their masters, it seems that 
they may become more savage than their untamed companions which have 
never known restraint. 

A Dangerous Elephant. 

There was a well-known Elephant some years ago, says a traveler in 
India, which was celebrated throughout the Balaghot district for the extra- 
ordinary fierceness of its disposition. 

Having one day slipped the chain which interfered with the freedom of 
its movements, it killed the mahout with a blow of the trunk, and at 
once made off tow r ard the forest. 

The acquaintance it had gained during many years of confinement, with 
the customs of the people, gave it power to work the greatest mischief to 
all the surrounding villages. It became the pest, not only of the immediate 
neighborhood, but over fully one hundred miles of country its visits were 
dreaded. 

No village was safe from the attack of this terrible beast. It would 
travel great distances and appear at unexpected times, suddenly presenting 
itself to the horrified villagers, who fled in all directions, leaving their 
homes and their supplies of grain to be demolished by this irresistible 



ATT.-U KING THE ll'A TCI I- TOW 'ERS. 



171 



destroyer, who tore clown their dwellings, ransacked their stores of corn, 
and killed any unfortunate person who came within its reach. 

There was a cruel, murderous spirit in the beast which was entirely 
different from the ordinary ferocity of .a wild animal. It would not only 
attack villages in search of grain, but it was particularly fond of destroying 
the high watching-places in the fields, which were occupied every night by 
some of the farm hands, who were placed there to scare away wild boars, 
and other trespassers upon the crops. 

These watch-houses are built upon 
poles, a platform and small hut rest- 
ing upon the top, about sixteen feet 
from the ground. From these high 
places the watchers yell and scream 
throughout the night to frighten 
away the wild beasts. 

To attack and tear down these 
watch-towers was the special delight 
of this blood-thirsty elephant. In- 
stead of being scared by the noisy 
shouts that came from these lofty 
perches in the air, they attracted him, 
and unseen in the dark, and without 
warning, the watchers soon felt the 
great brute battering down the sup- 
ports of their little tower. The 
slender posts, upon which the plat- 
form was built, offered no resistance 
to such an assault, and the miser- 
able natives found themselves, in a 
few T moments, hurled to the ground 




amongst the ruins of their building. 



NATIVES' WATCH-TOWER. 



In another instant they were either 

caught and stamped to death, or chased through the darkness by the savage 
elephant, which, when it captured them exhibited a cruel pleasure in slowly 
killing them by placing one huge foot upon the victim, and then tearing off 
an arm, a leg, or the head from the mangled body. 

In this manner about twenty persons were killed in the district and it 
became absolutely necessary to destroy the ferocious beast. A well-known 



172 



END OF THE MAN-KILLER. 



hunter determined to kill it, and guided by the reports of the natives, 
followed it for many days, but as the animal cunningly left the places it 
had attacked, and hid in some jungle retreat, it was very hard to find. 

At length the hunter succeeded in tracking his dangerous enemy to a 
dense wood, in which it was discovered asleep. He carefully placed his 
men, and cautiously they advanced. But in spite of all their efforts to 
move quietly, a suspicious sound must have fallen upon the ever-watchful 
ear of the sleeping giant, for suddenly it aroused, and before the hunter 
could plainly see its form, advanced upon him. 

But there was a great difference between an attack upon helpless natives, 
and stand-up fight with a white man and his attendants who were armed 
with the best, breech-loading rifles. 

In turning to charge the Elephant exposed its side. The hunter 
immediately aimed for the head, at a mark between the eye and ear, and 
firing twice in rapid succession lodged two bullets in the brain of the 
savage monster, and thus ended its career. 




A STAND-UP FIGHT. 



THE RHIXOCEROS. 



173 




TWO-HORNED BLACK RHINOCEROS, OR KEITLOA. 



The Rhinoceros. 

Next to the elephant, the Rhinoceros is the largest of forest creatures ; 
it is also one of the most ill-favored, and its huge, unwieldy body, rough, 
armor-like skin, little, blinking eyes, and formidable horn, comprise a whole 
which for brute ugliness it would be hard to equal. 

The skin of the Rhinoceros is so thick that only a well-directed bullet, 
or a sharp spear driven by the strongest of arms, will pierce it. Two 
pointed horns grow from the centre of its head, which, when used for 
attack, are driven forward by all the great weight of the animal's body 
and the whole power of its muscular neck. 

The Rhinoceros is, in fact, a kind of living battering-ram, and, when it 
lowers its horn and charges upon an enemy, neither man nor beast can 
resist the crushing blow. Even wild elephants have been seen to run 
away when attacked by this surly, quarrelsome beast. 

While the Rhinoceroses all resemble each other in form, and, to a 
certain extent, in habits there are several different varieties which can 
easily be distinguished by their color, size, and the shape or number of 
their horns. 



174 



BLACK, AND WHITE RHINOCEROS. 



In Africa the two-horned, white Rhinoceros is the largest of its kind. 
When full grown it sometimes exceeds eighteen feet in length and five 
feet in height; the longer of its two horns measures two feet. Although 
so large, this kind is not as dangerous as some others, and will not 
usually attack man or beast unless provoked or wounded. 

The two-horned black Rhinoceros, or Keitloa, is somewhat smaller than 
the white. Its horns are, however, longer, and instead of one of them, 
being short, as in the white Rhinoceros, both are nearly of an equal length, 
which is frequently more than three feet. It is of solitary habits and of 




INDIAN RHINOCEROS. 

Height at the shoulder \ l / 2 to 5 feet; color reddish brown. 

such ferocious nature that there is great danger in attacking it, unless the 
hunter is armed with a heavy rifle and is enabled, by the character of the 
ground, to find a secure refuge from the fierce rush which is sure to 
follow the first shot. 

The white Rhinoceroses have square, blunt muzzles and flat lips. They 
graze with their heads lowered to the grass, like an ox or sheep. The 
black Rhinoceroses have the upper lip long and flexible ; for they browze 
upon leaves and twigs. The two differ also in habits and disposition, the 
white kind being harmless eaters of grass, which live in peace with all 
other animals ; while the black feed on young shoots, branches, and roots, 




SPOILING FOR A FIGHT. 

The Two-Horned Black Rhinoceros, or Keitloa (Southern and Central Africa.) 



[175] 



176 THE RHINOCEROS OF INDIA. 

which they dig up with their horns, and are the most quarrelsome, savage 
brutes to be found, attacking either man or beast with equal fury. 

The Indian Rhinoceros differs from both of the African varieties, in 
having but one horn. The skin, also, is so enormously thick that the 
animal looks as if it were actually encased in armor. Each part of its 
body is furnished with a separate plate of this defensive covering, the edges 
of which overlap each other at the neck, behind the shoulder, and across 
the thighs as the creature moves. Indeed, if it were not for these flexible 
joints in its coat of mail, freedom of movement would be impossible. 
It is not dangerous except when attacked or wounded, and does not show 
the surly, ferocious nature of the Keitloa, or black Rhinoceros of Africa, 
when disturbed in its jungle retreat. 

While most of the forest creatures try to avoid man's presence, and run 
away if he should approach them, the black Rhinoceros is afraid of nothing; 
as soon as he scents an intruder upon his home, he tosses his head, 
sweeps right and left with his great horns, and charges in the direction 
he believes his enemy to be. 

Even the lion gives the Rhinoceros the right of way, and the elephant 
will yield the path to him rather than engage in a fight with such a 
dangerous foe. Sometimes the elephant is attacked by the quarrelsome 
brute, and then a terrible battle begins. The elephant, if he is a tusker, 
generally gets the best of it, although a whole herd of elephants have been 
seen to run away when attacked by two black Rhinoceroses. 

A trader tells a most interesting story of an adventure with a black 
Rhinoceros in Southern Africa, which runs as follows : — 

A Rhinoceros in the Path. 

I was taking one of my long trips into the interior of Africa, and riding 
on horseback along a bush path, followed by my carriers, each bearing his 
pack of goods, when a sudden, loud snort in the bushes warned us that 
big game was near. I had only time to take my rifle from the hands of 
the carrier who walked by my horse's side, when a huge black Rhinoceros 
showed itself just ahead. I quickly put a couple of bullets into its ugly 
carcass, hoping that it would make off, but it turned with surprising quick- 
ness, considering its big, clumsy body, and charged down upon us. 

My startled carriers did not know which way to run, and before they 
could get out of the way, two of them were knocked over and badly hurt 




INDIAN RHINOCEROS. 



[177] 



178 



A LUCKY SHOT. 



I attempted to turn and fire again, but my horse, seeing the Rhinoceros 
on the point of running us down, gave a leap into the air and went 
plunging through the bush, closely followed by the wounded monster. 

The ground was rough and very hard for the horse to run on ; trunks 
of trees and overhanging boughs met me in every direction, so that I had 
to duck and dodge to avoid them. I could hear my pursuer panting and 
grunting close behind ; hunting me just as a hound hunts a fox. It was 
getting alarming; I saw that something must speedily be done, and 




A BULLET JUST IN TIME. 



realizing that my horse, which was light-colored, made an easy mark to 
follow, I watched my chance and slipped from his back. He ran away to 
one side and was caught by one of my men, who quickly tied him to the 
limb of a tree and then disappeared. 

I now crept away under the thick bushes, bending nearly double, so as 
not to attract my pursuer, when I heard a crashing in the undergrowth 
some distance away, and climbing on the slanting trunk of an uprooted 
tree, I saw the Rhinoceros come out of the bushes and rush toward my 
horse. 



DEATH OF THE RHINOCEROS. 



179 



The poor beast gave a loud scream as he saw his danger, and rearing 
up, tried in vain to break the strong bridle. There was yet time for a 
shot if I could clear myself from the thick, tangled growth of vines and 
branches. Tearing my way through them, I reached a little hill, followed 
by two of my frightened carriers, and, raising my rifle, put a bullet behind 
the shoulder-blade of the Rhinoceros, just as he was lowering his formidable 
horn to stab my terrified steed. 

The vicious brute turned away from the horse to meet this new attack, 
and was advancing toward us, when I brought him to his knees by another 




A HUNT ON HORSEBACK. 



bullet through the shoulder, and, one of my men now arriving with a 
spare gun, I put another through his heart, thus ending the fray. This 
was the most exciting adventure I had ever had with a wild animal, 
and I determined never again to attack a Rhinoceros unless I was better 
prepared for the encounter. 

On another occasion, says the same trader, I was riding across a wide, 
open plain, accompanied by my Kaffir attendant, when we saw just ahead 
of us a black Rhinoceros. He had not yet noticed us, and as we were 



180 A SUCCESSFUL HUNT. 

both mounted on fine horses, and the ground was level and smooth, I 
determined to have a shot at him. 

Accordingly, we skirted the clearing cautiously, and making a sudden 
dash were soon alongside. Pulling up my panting horse, which was 
trembling like a leaf at this close approach to the dangerous monster, I 
aimed my rifle at his heart and fired. 

With a shrill snort of rage, the Rhinoceros turned and came directly at 
us, with horns lowered, and tail straight on end. We jumped our horses 
to one side, avoiding his onward rush, and, just as he was turning to 
make another charge, I planted a second bullet close beside the first. 

These two shots, fired at such close range, seemed to sicken him ; he 
swerved to one side, then his fore-legs gave way, and he rolled over dead. 

It is a singular fact, that, although the horns of the Rhinoceros are such 
dangerous weapons, they do not grow from sockets in the skull, like the 
tusks of the elephant, but merely rest upon a hard, thick bone which forms 
a foundation for them just above the nose. They are firmly attached, how- 
ever, to their base, and are further supported by the growth of immensely 
thick skin which surrounds them. 

When a Rhinoceros has been killed, and the head has been exposed 
three days in the sun to dry, the horns can be knocked off by a light 
blow, and the foundation on which they rested plainly seen. 

A Rhinoceros Trap. 

All the varieties of the Rhinoceros have the same strangely shaped foot, 
consisting of three horny toes, resembling small hoofs, each of which forms 
nearly a half circle. This round-shaped foot is taken advantage of by 
the Africans, who capture the great animal by means of a cunningly-made 
trap. 

A round, shallow hole, the size of the Rhinoceros's foot, is dug in the 
path ; this hole is covered by a wooden circle, like a small wheel. 
The spokes are made of sharply-pointed bamboo stakes, attached to the 
wheel only at the outer ends, the points facing each other in the centre, 
where the hub of an ordinary wheel should be. 

After this trap is made it looks a little like a sieve, as it lies upon the 
ground, but if any person were to thrust his arm through the centre of 
the pointed spokes, he could not draw it out again, for the sharp ends 
would spring together and hold him firmly. 



TRAPPING THE RHINOCEROS. 



181 



Accordingly, when the Rhinoceros plants his heavy foot in the snare, it 
closes around his leg, so that when he lifts it from the hole the stout circle 
of bamboo is firmly fastened around it, and cannot be shaken off. A 
strong rope with a slip noose is fixed around the trap ; the other end 
being fastened to a great log of wood. 

Down the path, with heavy tread, comes the Rhinoceros, and one of his 
great feet is planted directly in the snare. Away with a rush he goes as 
soon as he feels the trap and noose close upon his leg, and after him trails 




A TRAPPED RHINOCEROS. 



the log, catching in bushes and thorns, until it tires out at last even his 
enormous strength, and he is obliged to stop. 

The hunters easily follow the trail left by the dragging log, and soon 
overtaking the entrapped animal, the fight commences. As the hunters 
are armed only with spears, that are with difficulty forced through 
the thick hide of the horned monster, the battle is a long one, and some- 
times the tables are turned upon the trappers by the breaking of the 
rope ; this frees the enraged Rhinoceros, which at once rushes upon his 
tormenters with lowered horns, and impales some of them upon the sharp 
points. 



182 



COURAGEOUS HUNTERS. 



A tribe of bold sword-hunters, known as the Hamran Arabs, sometimes 
kill the Rhinoceros as they do the wild elephant, by hamstringing it with 
their sharp weapons. Unlike the elephant, however, the Rhinoceros can run 
on three legs, so that a single cut will not disable him, but regardless of 




ARAB SWORD-HUNTERS. 



the danger they run, these brave fellows have been known to boldly dash 
up to a pair of these huge brutes, and with quick blows of their keen 
blades, disable both of them before they had time to turn for a charge. 



THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



183 




HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



The Hippopotamus. 

In many of the large, broad rivers of Africa, and upon their marshy, 
reed-covered shores the Hippopotamus is found. 

It is one of the largest and heaviest of animals, and although clumsy, 
and apt to be timid while on land, it is at home in the water, where it 
swims and dives almost as easily as if it were a fish, instead of a huge 
beast weighing four or five tons. 

The food of the Hippopotamus is the long, coarse grass which grows 
near the river's side. The usual feeding time for these animals is at night; 
they then come boldly out of the deep water, or the shallow, rush-covered 
marshes in which they have passed the day, and with lumbering steps 
make their way into the jungles and swamps to find their favorite food. 

Travellers who have followed some of the great rivers of Africa to 
their source, tell of immense herds of Hippopotami which could be seen 
lazily basking on the surface of the water, or plunging into it from the 
banks with a tremendous splash, and loud snort of alarm, as the boats 
passed by. 

The great beasts are ferocious when in the water and frequently attack 



184 A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE. 

canoes, although they may be only paddling quietly up or down the 
stream. The following story of such an adventure is told by an African 
explorer: — 

Attacked by a Hippopotamus. 

We were upon the upper waters of the White Nile ; the night was cool 
and the moon clear and bright; everyone aboard our little vessel was sound 
asleep, when suddenly, I was awakened by a tremendous splashing close 
to the boat, and heard the hoarse snorting of a furious Hippopotamus. 

I jumped up, and at once saw the great beast close alongside, preparing 
to attack our vessel. My man, Suleiman, was lying fast asleep near the 
cabin door. I called to him for my rifle, but before he had time to get 
fairly awake the Hippopotamus dashed at us with the greatest fury. One 
blow from the huge head capsized, and sunk, the small boat which floated 
astern ; in another instant, a shock that nearly overset us showed that our 
vessel itself was the object of its wrath, and that we would have to defend 
ourselves or the consequences might be serious. 

At this moment, Suleiman appeared with my rifle : all hands were now 
awake and endeavoring to scare the Hippo by shouts and yells, but he 
continued to attack us with the blind fury of a bull-dog. 

By the time I had secured the rifle, the movements of the animal were 
so rapid, as he charged and plunged beneath the water amid clouds of 
foam, that it was impossible to aim correctly at the small, fatal spot upon 
the head, but presently, as he charged straight at the boat, I stopped him 
with a bullet. To my surprise, he recovered and again commenced the 
attack. I fired shot after shot at him without effect, but at length 
apparently badly wounded, he retired to the high grass ; there, lying down 
in the shallow water, and snorting loudly. 

Thinking he would die, I put away my gun, and had just lain down 
again when another tremendous splash, and a shock which made the whole 
vessel tremble from stem to stern, told us that the mad beast had again 
attacked us. 

In another instant, I grasped my rifle, and as his great head appeared 
by the side of the boat, planted a bullet directly in the top of it. The 
effect was surprising ; half out of the water came the ponderous body, and 
then over and over it rolled, sometimes with all four legs kicking above 
the surface, and making waves that rocked our craft as if it were in a 
storm. 



KILLED AT LAST. 



185 



In this helpless manner, the Hippopotamus rolled for about fifty yards 
down the stream, and we all thought that he was at last killed. 

To our amazement, however, he again recovered, and we heard him 
splashing as he moved slowly along the bank through the high grass. 
There he remained, snorting and blowing, and as the distance prevented 
another shot I again lay down, having my rifle in readiness beside me. 

In a short time I heard a disturbance in the water, and getting up, saw 
our enemy walking slowly across the river, in the shallows, and only about 
eighty yards distant. Having a fair shot at the shoulder, I fired twice 
and distinctly heard the bullets strike. He staggered forward a few steps 




A BATTLE IN THE STREAM. 



and fell dead; this time we were sure of him, and all hands turned in 
again and went to sleep. 

In the morning, I made a careful examination of the carcass as it lay in 
the shoal water. It had received in all, eight bullets, three in the flank 
and shoulder, and five in the head, one of the latter having broken the 
lower jaw and cut off one of the large tusks. 

I never saw such determined fury as was shown by this animal in his 
midnight attack : he appeared to be raving mad, and on looking him over 
we found ample evidence of his quarrelsome disposition, for upon his body 



186 NATIVE HIPPOPOTAMUS HUNTERS. 

could be seen a complete network of frightful scars, the result of continued 
fights with bulls of his own species. 

My men told me that the bull hippopotami will fight with the most 
savage fury, seizing each other in their great mouths, and inflicting fearful 
wounds with their powerful jaws and long tusks. Several of the wounds 
upon the dead beast were still unhealed ; one being fully two feet in length, 
and about two inches deep. 

Upon looking at his great jaws and tusks, I could not help thinking that 
during the fight he must have given as severe wounds as he received, 
and that a battle between two such powerful monsters would be well 
worth seeing. 

Among the natives of the interior of Africa there are men who constantly 
hunt the Hippopotamus, and exchange the flesh of the animals they kill, 
for the grain that is grown by less courageous tribes. 

A Hippopotamus hunt by these people is thus described by a traveller 
who saw it : — 

Spearing a Hippopotamus. 

The canoes of the Hippopotamus hunters were drawn up on the shore. 
Each carried two men : they were long, light craft, scarcely half an inch 
thick, and about twenty feet in length. Their width was not more than 
two feet at the broadest part, for they were shaped for speed, like one of 
our racing boats. 

Seeing the head of a great Hippopotamus on the surface of the water, 
one of the canoes was hastily manned and pushed out into the river. 
The men crouched at each end of the frail vessel, and dipping their broad 
paddles noiselessly into the water, moved down towards the sleeping giant. 

Not a single ripple was raised ; the men looked as if holding even their 
breaths for fear of awakening the sleeping Hippopotamus. 

As they drew near to it I saw the man in the bow make rapid signs 
to his companion, then, putting down his paddle, he rose cautiously to his 
feet and stood erect and motionless, holding a long spear raised at 
arm's length above his head. 

During all this time he kept his balance exactly, for any sudden 
movement, to either right or left, would have instantly capsized the narrow 
boat and sent its daring crew sprawling into the river. 

Not a sound broke the silence, till, coming close to the great beast, the 




HIPPOPOTAMUS (Africa). 

Length of head and body, 14 feet; length of tail, about I foot; color, bluish-gray. 



[1S7] 



188 



NATIVE HUNTERS. 



spearman plunged his weapon with all his might toward its heart. With 
a tremendous splash the surprised and wounded Hippopotamus rose, and 
then fell back in the water, immediately disappearing under the surface. 
As soon as the spear had been cast the men grasped their paddles and 
backed away, expecting an attack from the animal ; but, as it seemed to be 




AT THE RIVER'S SIDE. 



determined to remain at the bottom of the river, the hunters prepared for 
the most dangerous part of their work. 

The spear that pierced the Hippopotamus had a barbed iron head, 
which loosely fitted the wooden handle, but was attached to it by a long 
rope. As soon as the iron head was firmly fixed in the flesh, the struggles 
of the Hippopotamus beneath the water loosened the wooden handle from 




A POOL IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 



[189] 



190 



NATIVE HUNTERS. 



the barbed point, and presently it floated on the surface, attached by its 
long rope, and showing to the hunters the exact position of their prey. 

Cautiously the boat was paddled toward the floating shaft, the men 
looking down into the water as they advanced, to see, and avoid any rush 
from below. Soon they reached the spear handle, it was hastily lifted from 
the water and the canoe headed at full speed toward shore, when suddenly, 
a slackening of the line warned the hunters that the wounded animal was 
pursuing then). 




DRAGGED ASHORE. 



In another instant, a hoarse grunt was heard, and the enormous head 
of the stricken monster appeared above the water, close behind the boat. 
The canoe darted swiftly forward, and just avoided the onward rush of the 
great jaws ; another spear was launched from the stern, and soon two 
shafts floated on the water. Other canoes now put out from shore ; the 
spear handles were seized, and the Hippopotamus dragged in different 
directions, until weakened from loss of blood, he was at last pulled upon 
the bank, and killed by showers of spears from the crowd of natives who 
fearlessly approached his wide gaping jaws. 



HIPPOPO TAMUS SHOOTING. 



191 



The white man, armed with his heavy rifle, frequently kills the Hippo- 
potamus with a single well direeted shot. An African explorer says: — 

A Dangerous Voyage. 
We were crossing a broad river when we came suddenly upon a herd 
of Hippopotami. One of the huge beasts I had turned over on its back with 
a couple of bullets in the brain. It floated for an instant right alongside 




ATTACKED BY AN ANGRY HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



the boat, with its short, thick legs kicking in the air, and then slowly sank 
out of sight. Meanwhile, another of the herd was advancing toward us as 
if determined to avenge the death of its companion. 

The ugly head of the great beast was within a few feet of our boat, 
with jaws opened widely to crush its side, when, hastily pointing my rifle 
into the gaping throat of the enraged monster, I pulled the trigger. 



192 ADVENTURES ON THE WHITE NILE. 

Backward it dashed amid a cloud of spray- that wet me to the skin, and 
looking down, we could see it struggling madly in the water. 

I now ordered the men to paddle for their lives, the boat jumped ahead, 
and soon we had left the dangerous locality far behind ; arriving on the 
other side without being again attacked. 

The White Nile is famous for its man-killing Hippopotami. On one 
occasion, some villagers were waiting the return of their chief, who had 
been on a visit of ceremony across the river, when to their horror a large 
Hippopotamus appeared, and rushing upon the boat, seized it and the chief, 
crushing both. On another occasion a man had entered the water to bathe, 
when a Hippopotamus, which had been in concealment near by, rushed at 
him, biting him in two as a shark might have done. The motive of the 
animal is simply wild rage, which causes it to attack any intruder without 
regard to its size. A well-known official reported that all his boats had 
been damaged by these animals during three years' experience on the Nile. 

One instance was somewhat singular. They were towing, behind their 
vessel, a large boat containing a load of live sheep. For some reason a 
Hippopotamus became enraged and rose beneath it, smashing a large hole 
in the bottom and drowning every one of the animals. Upon another 
occasion, the officer was traveling in a large dug-out, twenty-seven feet long, 
and at least two or three feet thick. In passing through some high grass a 
Hippopotamus charged the boat, actually lifting the heavy craft bodily out 
of the water. 

Several years ago a British officer was proceeding up the Nile in a boat, 
towed by a steamer, when a Hippopotamus charged the steamer in broad 
daylight, evidently protesting against its passage over its domain. It 
seized the paddle wheels in its huge jaws, crushing them, and then sank to 
reappear at the stern of the vessel, where it seized the keel, and though 
it was iron-plated perforated the bottom in two places. The leaks were so 
large that the steamer threatened to sink, and was only saved after a vast 
amount of trouble and labor. 



THE TAPIR. 



103 




SOUTH AMERICAN TAPIR. 

Total length 6 feet ; height 3 feet ; color brownish-black. The curious, flexible snout of this animal is used in plucking the leaves 

and twigs upon which it feeds. 



The Tapir. 

The shape of the Tapir's body reminds us somewhat of the pig, for it is 
round and heavy, and is mounted upon short, stout legs, but it is a much 
larger animal than the pig, and its long neck, four-toed feet, and curious, 
short, elephant-like trunk or snout, show that it belongs to quite a different 
species. 

Tapirs are found only in two parts of the world, South America; the 
Malayan Peninsula, and adjoining islands of Sumatra and Borneo. 

The most common variety of South American Tapir is dark brown, or 
nearly black, in color, with white marking upon the jaws and upper edges 
of the ears. It is extremely fond of the water and is an excellent swim- 
mer. Of very shy nature, it is the habit of this animal to pass most of the 



194 



THE TAPIR. 



day sleeping in the cool shade of the deepest forests, coming forth only at 
sunset to feed. Its food is the rank herbage which grows in the moist 
ground near the rivers ; and so fond is it of all sorts of young shoots, 
leaves and fruit, that it sometimes causes great damage to the plantations 
that may be near its haunts. 

The skin of the Tapir is very thick and is valued for the leather made 
from it. The flesh, although used for food by the Indians, is coarse and 
dry. When hunting the animal, the natives generally hide near a path which 




TAPIR; Malacca, Borneo and Sumatra. 

Height 3^ feet; total length about 8 feet; color black and white. 



leads to the water, and attack it in the evening as it comes down to drink 
and bathe. It is a heavy, powerful creature, and is said to give the dogs 
a hard fight before it is subdued. 

The Tapir of Borneo and Sumatra is somewhat larger than the South 
American variety, and is a much handsomer animal, having the hair of 
the head, shoulders, and legs glossy black, and the body pure white. 
Little is known of its nature and habits, as it lives in the densest swamps 
and jungles, but in these it probably resembles the South American Tapir. 






THE ZEBRA. 



195 







m&mm 



^^© 



ZEBRA ; Africa. 

This is the true Zebra (as distinguished from BurchelFs Zebra). It has a white coat marked with black stripes, and is less horse-like 

in shape than the other, bearing a greater resemblance to the Ass. It stands over four feet high at the 

shoulder. It is seldom found upon the plains but frequents the hill country, 

choosing the wildest and most rugged regions. 



The Zebra. 

A beautiful animal, both in color and in form, is the gaily-striped Zebra. 
It is interesting also because looking so much like a horse, and one can- 
not help thinking, as they trot across the plain, how handsome a pair of 
them would look in harness. 

Unfortunately, their wild nature prevents their being used, like their near 
relation the patient donkey, for the service of man, but once in a while, 
at a circus or menagerie, they may be seen trained to pull a little gilded 
car. 

The Zebra is at home in the hilly parts of Southern Africa; travellers 
say that herds of one hundred or more are sometimes met with. They 
are very wild, and upon the slightest alarm dash away at a speed that 



196 



THE QUAGGA. 



would leave any but a fast horse far behind. The Zebra is of the size 
and shape of a good-sized pony. Its cream-white coat is marked all over 
with regular, velvety-black stripes ; the head and legs as well as the body 



having a share of this fanciful coloring. 



There is another horse-like creature, called the Quagga, which closely 
resembles the Zebra, but is not so handsomely marked. Its legs and tail 
are white in color, and the upper part of the body and head reddish-brown, 
banded with dark brown stripes. 










QUACGA; Southern Africa. 

Height at the shoulder \]/ 2 feet ; total length of body and tail 8 feet. 

These animals are also like the Zebra, in living together in herds of 
thirty to one hundred. No doubt they could be trained to submit to bit 
and bridle, and would be of service to man, if the countries in which they 
are found, instead of being in the possession of wild, native tribes, were 
inhabited by a people who possessed the patience and intelligence necessary 
to train them. But, useless as these different kinds of wild asses may be, 
they at least form a beautiful picture as they gallop across the plain ; their 
bright coats and graceful forms rendering less unattractive to the eyes of 
the traveller, the desert regions in which they are found. 



" — l --- j 




BURCHELL'S ZEBRA, OR DAUW (Africa). 

Size, the same as a small horse ; color, light dun above, with black stripes, lower portions white. 
Africa, herds of from eighty to one hundred being usually found together. 



It is common throughout 

[197] 



198 



THE WILD BOAR. 




BUSH-HOG: Africa. 

This species of wild-hog is found in the forests of Central and Southern Africa. It is somewhat smaller than our ordinary domestic 

breeds ; in color it is usually brown with white marking. 



The Wild Boar. 

There is no creature that is more widely distributed over the whole 
world than the pig ; and although the savage Wild Boar, with his long, 
sharp tusks and active frame, does not look much like the plump porker in 
the farmer's pen, yet they are very near relations. 

The contrast between the two, is due more to their different food and 
surroundings than to any difference in their natures. If the fattest and 
laziest pig that ever grunted contentedly in the straw of his comfortable 
sty, was turned out to run in the woods, he would soon become wild, like 
his untamed relative ; and although his short snout, and heavy body might 
for a long time mark him as having been bred for supplying good hams 
and bacon, rather than sport for the hunter, a few generations would change 
him into a savage beast that it might be dangerous to approach. 




WILD BOAR (India). 

Height at the shoulder, 3 feet ; color, yellowish-brown. 



[1991 



200 



BOAR HUNTING IN INDIA. 



In India, that land in which so many ferocious beasts are to be found, 
the Wild Boars grow to a very large size, and are so numerous that the 
rice fields and plantations have to be guarded at night by men stationed 
upon high platforms, raised on posts in the middle of the grounds. But 
for this precaution, the growing crops would be rooted up, and whole fields 
destroyed by the long, powerful snouts of the wild pigs. 

A Boar Hunt. 
Boar hunting has long been a regularly established sport in India, much 
as fox hunting is in England and America. The hunters usually meet 




MEETING FOR THE HUNT. 



soon after daybreak at the jungle side, carrying spears which are about 
nine feet long, and mounted upon fleet and well-trained horses. When the 
spearmen have concealed themselves, the native scouts are sent into the 
jungle to drive out the game. This they do by beating tom-toms, blowing 
horns, and shouting as they advance slowly in the direction of the horse- 
men. 

We shall suppose ourselves at the jungle side, waiting for the Boar to 
show himself, and listening intently to the shouts of the beaters, who are 
approaching the open ground, driving the game before them. 

Soon the yells become louder, and we distinguish the cry of a beater — 



BOAR //CX/'/XC, IX IXDIA. 



201 



"there goes the pig"!' Then comes an anxious moment; the line of horse- 
nun grasp their spears more firmly, and wait, impatient for the fray, all the 
while peering eagerly through the leaves and branches in the direction of 
the sounds. 

Unwilling to leave his stronghold, and somewhat sulky at being disturbed 
so early in the morning, the Boar is almost always difficult to dislodge, and 
often breaks back and charges the line of beaters, but at last he makes a 
rush for the open and is seen trotting slowly along, a short distance in 
front of the beaters. 




OFF AT FULL SPEED. 



A report from a pistol, or note sounded on the bugle, is the signal to 
the hunters that the game is afield, and as soon as the master of the hunt 
thinks that the Boar has gained a fair start, he gives the word to advance. 

The old Boar, which up to this time has been grunting savagely, 
scarcely seems to quicken his pace until the hunters begin to close in 
upon him, when he bounds away at a speed that no one, who has not 
actually witnessed his activity would believe possible. 

Then comes the exciting moment, the rush of the hunters, each eagerly 
striving for the honor of first spearing the game. Perhaps twenty horse- 
men, with heads up, bridle hands down, and the points of their spears 
kept well forward, charge at full speed across the plain. An experienced 



202 



BOAR HUNTING IN INDIA. 



old hunter, mounted upon a beautiful Arab horse, which seems to enjoy 
the chase as much as its rider, follows every swerve of the Boar and forges 
slightly ahead so as to gain the near side— then, leaning forward in his 
saddle, the hunter drives his spear well home behind the shoulder blade 
of the flying brute, and rolls him over on his back in the dust. 

If the spear penetrates the heart the Boar dies at once, but should a 
vital spot be missed, woe to those who follow unless they are prepared, 
for in the twinkling of an eye, the infuriated beast picks himself up, and 
with a wild roar charges open-mouthed at the nearest hunter. If the onset 
is not instantly met on the point of a spear, the chances are that one or 




CHARGE OF A WOUNDED BOAR. 



two horses will be badly ripped by the sharp tusks, and their riders may 
not wholly escape injury. 

The Boar is one of the most courageous and fearless of forest animals, 
and when severely wounded seems to be utterly reckless of life, charging 
desperately upon the spear's point, and forcing its shaft half through his 
body in a last desperate effort to reach the hunter, so that he can bury 
his sharp tusks in the body of his foe. 

Neither the lion nor the tiger will ever willingly attack a solitary Boar, 
unless they can pounce upon him unawares. His tenacity of life is also 
very great; sometimes he will receive a dozen severe spear wounds before 



HUNTING THE BOAR WITH //Ol'NDS. 



203 



he rolls over dead. The best place to spear a boar, so as to reach a vital 
spot, is just behind the shoulder blade, low down, so that the spear point 
will toueh the heart. An experienced Boar-hunter does not "jab " with 
his spear, he direets it only, and with a steady hand allows the force of 
his horse's rush to drive it home. 

Hunting with Hounds. 
The Wild Boar is hunted in various ways, according to the condition of 
the ground in which he has his run. In forest countries he is usually 
followed on foot ; the hunter being accompanied by two or more hounds 




DEATH OF THE BOAR. 



which attack the Boar, and keep him engaged until a stab from the sharp 
spear or hunting knife can end the fray. 

None but courageous and well-trained hounds will face so dangerous an 
enemy as a full grown, savage old Boar; for he will never come to bay 
except in some recess in the tangled thorn bushes, or rocky cleft, in which 
he is protected from an attack in the rear, or at the sides. There he will 
come to a stand, and champing his ugly jaws, grunt defiance at his foes. 

In this position it would be almost sure death for a hound to rush to 
the attack, and the most experienced among them would certainly refuse to 



204 A HUNT IN THE JUNGLE. 

enter the deadly enclosure, unless hallooed on by his master; then, if 
urged by the well-known voice, he would fly straight into the jaws of 
death ; but if left to his own discretion, he will join in the chorus of barks 
around the entrance and watch for a favorable opportunity, which would 
come when the Boar made a charge, and left for an instant his secure 
retreat. 

Then, just at the right moment, with a spring from one side, the dog 
would jump across the shoulder of the Boar and seize the ear upon the 
opposite side, thus pulling the Boar's head around in a contrary direction 
to the dog's own body and preventing contact with the deadly tusks. 

This, says an authority upon the subject, is the high art of seizing, and 
comes natural to some dogs, but can never be taught. 

Saved by a Knife Thrust. 
An adventure with a Wild Boar is thus described by a hunter who 
has successfully attacked many of these fierce brutes in the jungles of India. 

I started one morning on foot, with my Boar spear and two good 
hounds, to find a savage old Wild Boar that frequented a dense thorny 
jungle near my camp. 

This same old fellow had been driven out in the open a few days 
before, but, after gashing several of the dogs, had rushed back into the 
wood again and defied all efforts to dislodge him. 

I made up my mind that this day's hunt would not end in that manner ; 
and immediately upon reaching the place where he had last been seen, I 
sent the two dogs into the cover to find him. It was some time before any 
sound from the hounds was heard. At last a distant note told me that 
they had found the trail, and in about ten minutes a chorus of barks pro- 
claimed that the Boar was at bay. 

It was my custom, when hunting with dogs, to wait in the open until 
the moment the combat began between the hounds and the Boar, and then 
to make my way as speedily as possible to the battle ground. Accordingly 
I now began to tear my way through the dense jungle of bamboo grass, 
which consisted of long creeping stems, tangled together so thoroughly 
that it was only with the greatest difficulty I could make any progress. 

The Wild Boar had evidently turned to bay, after a short run, within a 
jungle composed of this almost impenetrable growth. 

Having broken my way through with great exertion, until I was be- 



THE BOAR ESCAPES FROM THE HOUNDS. 



205 



tween five or six yards of the " bay," I hallooed the dogs on, and in a 
few moments heard the sound of loud grunts and angry yells, which told 
me that the powerful hounds had sprung upon the boar, regardless of his 
cuts and thrusts, and were now engaged in a most desperate conflict. 

There was no time to lose, so with my hunting knife drawn, for I had 
been obliged to leave the spear behind on account of the thick bamboo 
grass, I tore my way through the tangled jungle, and almost immediately 
found myself in the presence of an immense boar. As he faced me, fiercely 
snarling, with gleaming tusks and foaming jaws, he was a terrible object. 




THE BOAR BREAKS AWAY AND RUSHES FORWARD. 

Without a moment's hesitation he made a furious effort to charge. So 
sudden was his spring, that, being unexpected by the dogs, they lost their 
hold, and for a moment the boar was free. 

I had hardly time to jump to one side, when the brute rushed at me. 
Narrowly escaping his tusks as he dashed past, I delivered a tremendous 
cut with the heavy knife across his back, just behind the shoulders. 

The keen edge of the blade happened to strike a joint in the backbone, 
and the body being stretched in the act of leaping forward, the spine was 
cut clear through and the boar fell dead. 

This, the narrator of the adventure goes on to say, was the narrowest 



206 



THE BAB IRUSS A. 



escape I ever experienced while boar-hunting, and but for quick action on 
my part must have ended very seriously. 

Although there is a great variety in the breeds of tame pigs, there is 
little difference between the wild hogs of Europe and Asia ; but there 
are several distinct species which require special description. 




BABIRUSSA; Borneo. 

The name of this animal means Pig-Deer : it is so called by the natives on account of its slender legs and great speed. In size it 
resembles the domestic pig ; the skin is almost hairless. Its most remarkable feature are the long, curved tusks which 

grow from the upper jaw, and apparently serve no useful purpose. 

The Babirussa is one of these. It is a strange-looking creature, having 
two long tusks which grow from the upper jaw, curving upward instead of 
down. These would appear to be rather a hindrance than a weapon of 
offence, as the points are turned completely under, and by their position 
interfere with the cutting tusks below, consequently dogs are seldom much 
injured when they attack the Babirussa. It takes to the water readily, often 
escaping the hunter by swimming, and is much less savage in its nature 
than the Wild Boar. 



THE WART-HOG AND THE PECCARY. 



207 




WART-HOG; Africa. 

To this creature probably belongs the distinction of being, for its size, the ugliest animal in the world. It takes its name from the wart- 
like growths which grow beneath its eyes. The large tusks project 6 to 8 inches from the jaws, and are used chiefly for 
digging in the ground for soft roots, which form its food. Height at the shoulder 2)/ 2 feet ; color reddish-brown. 



The Wart-Hog of Central and Southern Africa is another strange 
species of wild pig. It is often called the ugliest animal in the world, 
and a glance at its picture will satisfy every one that it deserves this title. 

Its enormous head and tusks look as if made for a beast twice its 
size ; hideous warts grow out beside each eye ; its rough skin is covered 
with a scant growth of harsh bristles, and its long thin tail, which it holds 
stiffly upright when alarmed and running away, adds the finishing touch to 
its ridiculous appearance. 

In America the Peccary is the only wild hog that is native to our 
woods. It is found in Texas and Mexico ; and also in South America. It 
is a small and valueless variety, but, owing to its habit of roaming about 
in large herds, which will make a savage attack upon any man or beast 
that injures one of their number, it may be dangerous to attack. 



208 



THE GIRAFFE. 




GIRAFFE FEEDING FROM THE GROUND. 



The Giraffe. 

Nature has provided the Giraffe with the longest neck of any animal 
in the world, to enable it to reach far up among the branches of the trees 
for its food. It does not eat grass or low-growing plants, but feeds upon 
leaves and tender twigs. Only with great difficulty can the creature bend 
its lofty head to the ground, and nothing but the most tempting morsel 
will cause it to do so. The strange position that it then assumes is shown 
in the above picture. 

Not only is the neck of the Giraffe of extraordinary length — measuring 
six feet in full grown specimens, but the legs are also so long that they 
almost look like stilts, and the total height of the animal is enormous. 
It is the tallest creature in the world, a full grown male measuring nine- 
teen feet from the crown of its head to the ground. 

Although of such strange form, the Giraffe is a handsome beast, with 
fancifully marked coat of yellow and brown, and large dark eyes which 
excel those of any other animal in beauty and velvety softness. 

It gazes, with these dark liquid orbs, upon the hunter who may have 
wounded it, with such an expression of helpless reproach, as to spoil what- 
ever pleasure may have been afforded by the successful shot, except to 
the most hardened of game killers. 




GIRAFFE (Africa). 

Height, from the crown of the head to the ground, 19 feet; color, yellow, brown and white. 



[209] 



210 



THE CAMEL. 




BACTRIAN CAMEL; Asia. 

The two-humped, or Bactrian Camel is larger and heavier than the swift Dromedary of the Desert, and to fit it for the 

colder climate in which it lives it is provided with a heavy coat of hair. Its height, measured 

from the hump, is fully S feet ; color light brown. 



The Camel. 

Where the hot sands of the desert stretch away for hundreds of miles, 
and glisten under the rays of a burning sun, the Camel is to be found. 
In these dry regions it is of the greatest usefulness to man. But for this 
animal, with its wonderful power to travel for three or four days without 
water, while carrying a heavy burden, or human rider upon its back, it 
would be impossible for man to cross these wastes of heated, stifling sand. 
It has even been said that gold, and precious stones, are not the real riches 
of the East, but that the Camel is its chief treasure. In fact, this useful 
creature not only feeds the inhabitants of Eastern countries — both with its 
milk and flesh, but furnishes clothes for them as well, from its long, soft hair. 




CAMEL, OR DROMEDARY (Africa and Arabia). 

Height, measured from the hump to the ground, 7 feet ; color, sandy-brown. The Camel is not found in a wild state in Africa 
or Arabia, and for ages has been the servant of man. It is, however, of surly and revengeful nature, 

possessing none of the intelligence and tractability of the horse. [ 211 1 



212 



THE CAMEL. 



It is, however, as a steed for riding, and as a beast of burden, that it 
is principally used. Without the Camel, those nations which are sepa- 
rated from each other by sandy deserts could not trade together; and 
without it the Arab could not even live, in the dry, sun-scorched regions 
in which he dwells. 

During a march across the desert, where no wells or springs of water 
can be found, the Camel will carry a load of from five to six hundred 







BACTRIAN CAMEL— KNEELING FOR ITS LOAD. 

pounds, and will travel twenty-five miles each day for four days without 
drinking. The evening before starting on a journey of this kind, the Arab 
gives his Camel all the water it can take ; this supply is stored away in 
cells within its stomach, and lasts for several days, as the animal has the 
power of using it, little by little, during its exhausting journey under the 
hot sun. 

This curious power of the Camel has more than once saved the lives of 
its owners. When crossing the desert, travellers sometimes use up all the 



THE CAMEL. 



213 



water they have carried with them, and the next well, from which they 
had intended to refresh themselves, and refill their goatskin water-bags, 
has been found to be dry, and the whole caravan seemed about to die 
from thirst. 

Under these terrible circumstances, one chance of escape is left them ; 
they kill a Camel, and from its stomach obtain water enough to sustain 




LLAMA (GUANACO); Mountainous Regions of South America. 

Height at the shoulder 4 feet ; color brown. It is much smaller than the Camel ; has no hump upon its back, and is more 

slender and deer-like in form. It is very useful to the Peruvians; carrying burdens on the roads across the mountains, 

and over the narrow, difficult passes of the Cordilleras ; being wonderfully sure of foot. They are slow beasts, 

however, and carry not more than 160 pounds weight. They are also of a stubborn, irritable nature 

and cannot be hurried ; if the whip is used to quicken their pace they are apt to fall 

to the ground, and refusing to get up, will submit to be beaten to death 

rather than rise and continue their journey. 

life a little longer; perhaps enabling them to reach a well or fountain 
in which water still remains. 

The Camels that are used only for riding are of a better breed than 
those which carry burdens. The difference, indeed, is almost as great as 
that between the race-horse and the slow-going cart-horse. 



214 



THE LLAMA AND THE VICUNA. 



The legs 



of a swift, riding Camel are long and thin, the shoulders 
broad, the hump small, but firm and hard, and not a particle of fat is 
found upon its whole body. It is indeed, far from being a pretty animal, 
except to the eye of an Arab, who knows that its lank, ungainly form 
possesses a power and an endurance which will carry him, (without other 
burden), over fifty miles of sandy desert in a single day. 

The foot of the Camel seems formed by nature for stepping upon the 
loose sand of the desert. Each of the two toes are tipped with a horny claw, 
and under them a single broad, spongy pad extends. This is covered with 




ALPACA (VICUNA); Mountainous Regions of Western South America. 

Height at the shoulder about 3 feet ; color brown. This species is principally valuable for its long silky wool, which is shipped 

in great quantities to other countries, and also furnishes the natives of Peru with material for their blankets 

and cloaks. From it the cloth known as alpaca was originally made. 



rough skin which spreads and flattens under the animal's weight, thus giving 
a broad, flat foothold upon the surface of the yielding sand, into which the 
sharper hoofs of horses and oxen would sink. 

Upon this Continent the Llama, and the Alpaca, of South America are the 
only representatives of the Camel tribe ; they look but little like the Camels 
of the Old World. The wild, or undomesticated Llama is known by the 
name of Guanaco, or Huanaco ; the wild Alpaca is called the Vicuna. 



THE BISON; BUFFALO; AND WILD OX. 



215 




FIGHT BETWEEN INDIAN BUFFALOES. 



THE BISON; 
BUFFALO; AND WILD ON. 

Immense herds of Bison, or Buffalo as the animal is usually called, 
once roamed over the vast prairies of North America, between the Mis- 
sissippi river and the Rocky Mountains. 

Although so short a time has passed, since these great brutes wandered at 
will through this region, that many persons, now living, remember having 
seen the plains covered with their dark and shaggy forms, not a single 
Buffalo can now be found, except in a few private enclosures and mena- 
geries, where, kept as curiosities, the last feeble remnant of this once mighty 
race lead quiet and uneventful lives. 

In shape and appearance the American Buffalo differs from all other 
animals of the ox tribe, in having high and massive shoulders, covered 
with a mane of long, dark brown hair. This shaggy coat hangs down over 
the eyes, and partly conceals the horns of the fully grown bulls, so that the 
head appears to be of enormous size. The black-bearded chin, savage- 
looking muzzle, and flashing eyes, give the bull Buffalo a very ferocious 
appearance ; but he is by no means as fierce as he looks, and is always more 
inclined to run away, upon scenting an enemy, than to stand his ground. 



216 THE BISON, OR AMERICAN BUFFALO. 

In fact, although more powerful than the lion, the Buffalo is nearly as 
timid as the deer. A herd numbering many hundreds, could be scared 
into a wild stampede by the sudden appearance of a single man. And 
yet, though quick to scent danger, and always ready to run at the sight 
of a human foe, the great beasts would stand stupidly staring, while the 
hidden hunter, (if he took his position with face to the wind), fired shot 
after shot into the herd. 

Therefore the skin-hunter, armed with his breech-loading rifle, would 
conceal himself near a herd, and was frequently able to kill every Buffalo 
it contained, one after the other ; he then would take only the skins, leav- 
ing the huge carcasses to rot upon the prairie. 

To the well-mounted frontiersman of former days, hunting these clumsy, 
but fleet-footed beasts was most exciting sport; and although the hunter's 
deadly skill with rifle or pistol, and the nimble movements of the western 
ponies in avoiding a charge, robbed the hunt of most of its danger, yet 
there were occasionally some very narrow escapes from wounded, and 
enraged bulls. 

A western ranch owner, who for more than thirty years has made his 
home on the prairies, tells the following story : — 

Charged by a Bull Buffalo. 

I was once traveling on horseback along the edge of the Arkansas river, 
when looking above the steep bank, I saw in the distance, an immense 
herd of Buffalo. Owing to my being within the deep hollow worn by the 
stream, they had not seen me, and were quietly feeding, unsuspicious of 
danger. I perceived at once that I could easily get near enough for a 
shot by following the river, and therefore moved carefully along, avoiding 
the loose stones and dry reeds, so that no sound might alarm the grazing 
herd. I had nearly reached the place where a sure shot might be made, 
when an unexpected lowering of the bank exposed me to the full view of 
the Buffaloes, which at once started off at a mad gallop. 

Spurring my pony up the grade I dashed after them, and gaining rapidly, 
fired twice, rolling over a straggling cow ; but seeing a magnificent bull 
just beyond, with enormous head and shoulders, and long black mane, I 
kept on. Soon I was close alongside the lumbering giant and blazed 
away. A fierce lunge from the shaggy head instantly followed; my bullet 
had not struck fairly. The well-trained pony jumped aside, and would have 
escaped, but landed in a prairie dog's hole and lost his footing. 







BISON, OR AMERICAN BUFFALO. 



218 CHASED BY A BULL BUFFALO. 

Instantly the enraged bull was upon us — his huge head was lowered to 
the ground ; then, with a crash the black horns struck beneath the body of 
my horse, hurling him to the earth, fatally gored and bleeding. 

I was thrown far out of the saddle by the shock, landing on all fours, 
but was up in a moment, running for dear life, and hoping that the 
wounded bull would not follow ; but, hearing a furious bellow, I looked 
around and saw the Buffalo charging after me. My bad luck did not desert 
me, for at that moment I stumbled and fell. A narrow gully about a foot 
deep, worn by the water during the rainy season, happened to be close by, 
and into this I had barely time to roll when the bull was upon me. 

His shaggy head actually brushed my body, as I shrank within my 
shallow refuge. He tried to gore me, but his horns were too short to 
easily reach within the hollow. I felt a momentary gleam of hope, but there 
came another fierce lunge, the bull's horn caught in a fold of my buckskin 
shirt, and I was thrown out of the trench, landing several feet away. 

Strange to say, I was not much hurt, and started to run again. Seeing 
the Buffalo preparing for another charge, I drew my revolver and circled 
around him, trying to get a side shot. Before he could turn I planted 
two bullets in his lungs. These, with the former wound, seemed to 
stagger him. He turned to face me, his eyes gleaming fiercely, and froth 
stained with blood, dripping from his mouth ; but he was plainly too weak 
to make another charge. 

Moving quickly to the right I fired again, and to my great relief the 
shaggy head slowly sank, the bull fell on his knees, and after a desperate, 
but vain attempt to rise, rolled over in his death struggle. I walked up 
and fired three more bullets into his great carcass, to make sure work of 
him — and then, my own legs gave way, and I sank exhausted on the ground. 

Since that time, said the narrator of this adventure, in concluding his story 
I have killed hundreds of Buffaloes, but never again did I have such a 
narrow escape. 

The African Buffalo. 

The true Buffaloes are found in Africa and India. All this species are 
more or less savage, but the African Buffalo is a most ferocious and dan- 
gerous brute, especially when wounded. There is greater risk in attacking 
it than perhaps any of the wild animals of Africa, and unless the hunter 
is a very sure shot, and is armed with a heavy rifle, he had better give 
this powerful beast a wide berth. 



THE AFRICAN BUFFALO. 



219 



The hide of the African Buffalo is extremely tough, and of great thick- 
ness. It is almost free from hair, and looks more like India-rubber than 
the skin o( a living animal. The skull also, is very thick, and although 
the forehead can be penetrated by a heavy bullet, it is a mark very difficult 
to hit, as the animal, when facing an enemy, carries its nose thrown upward. 




AFRICAN, OR CAPE BUFFALO; Central and Southern Africa. 

Height z,y z feet at the shoulder; color black. The horns are large and heavy; much curved, and meeting at the base, forming a 
broad, bony plate across the top of the head. The hair is scanty and the hide unusually thick. 

Says an experienced hunter and explorer in the wilds of Southern Africa : — 
The charge of an African Buffalo is terribly dangerous to the hunter who 
has been courageous enough to attack the vicious beast in its native wilds. 
Most animals when advancing, can be stopped by the stunning effect of 
a rifle shot, even though they may not be killed ; but nothing short of 
instant death will stop a buffalo when it has once decided to charge. If 
not killed, it will certainly destroy its adversary. 



220 



BUFFALO AND WILD OXEN. 



There is no creature in existence that is so determined to crush out 
the life of its foe. No more terrible picture of brute rage can be pre- 
sented, than that of a bull Buffalo rushing forward upon its last desperate 
charge. Should it succeed in overthrowing the object of its fury, it will 
not only gore the body with its horns, but will endeavor to tear it to 




GAUR; India. 
The largest of the wild cattle of the world. A full-grown bull measures 6 feet in height at the shoulder ; color deep brown, 
lower part of the legs white ; the horns are about 2 feet long. The Gaur is usually found in herds num- 
bering ten to thirty. During the heat of noon they retire to the deep forest, coming forth 
to feed at sunset. It is not known to be domesticated. 

pieces ; kneeling upon the lifeless form, and stamping it with its hoofs, 
until the remains are a battered and shapeless mass. 

Fights between Bulls. 
Fights of the most desperate kind are common between the bull Buffa- 
loes ; lowering their massive heads they rush at each other — the great horns 
coming together with a crash that can be heard for a long distance. After 
a short struggle for the mastery, during which each tries to drive the other 



IHl-l-ALO AND WILD OXEN. 



221 



backward, the weaker of the two is forced to turn, and runs from the field 
followed by the victor, who hastens the flight of his rival by dashing his 
horns against his hind quarters, and goring him at every stride. 

Besides being a most savage brute, the Buffalo is very hard to kill. The 
following experience of a well-known African explorer, shows this peculiarity. 







\ / 


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THE GAYAL; India. 

Height at the shoulder 4^ to 5 feet ; color dark brown. This species of wild ox is common in the hill regions of India, where 

it is often domesticated. It is considered by the inhabitants of that country as their most valuable property. 

The milk of the cow is remarkably rich and the flesh excellent for food. The horns are 

very thick at the base, almost straight, and about 18 inches in length. 

A Dead Buffalo Comes to Life. 
I shot a big Buffalo one evening, upon the marshy bank of the White 
Nile ; it was knocked over, apparently dead, by the first bullet. My men 
actually danced in triumph upon its body, expecting a feast of fresh beef 
after our long voyage upon the desolate river when suddenly, the Buffalo 
jumped up, and sent them flying into the river like so many frogs, swim- 
ming for their lives toward the boat. The Buffalo then ran into the 
swamp and disappeared among the high grass. 



222 



KILLED BY A WOUNDED BUFFALO. 



Next morning, supposing the beast must have died during the night, 
the men went ashore to look for the carcass. In a few minutes I heard 
a shot, then another, followed by a regular volley. Soon afterward, the 
men came back with the head of the Buffalo and a large quantity of 
meat, but they also carried the body of my best man, who, when leading 
the way through the high reeds, upon the track of blood, had actually 
stumbled over the Buffalo as it lay hidden in the swamp. His light 
gun failed to stop its charge. The crooked horn hooked him beneath 




mw?- 






ZEBU; India. 

These are the domestic cattle of India and many herds of them can be seen throughout that country. The flesh of the Zebu 

is, however, but little used for food, as the natives have a great objection to killing the animal, and value their herds 

chiefly for the milk furnished by the cows. To this species belong the so-called Sacred Bulls of the Hindus, 

which are selected on account of peculiar marking, and treated with highest honors. In height it 

measures at the hump about 5 feet ; the color varies from yellowish, or white, to dark brown. 



the ear, and passed right through the neck, tearing out his throat, as 
though it had been cut. The savage beast had then knelt upon the 
lifeless body and crushed it into the muddy ground, until the united fire 
from the guns of the rest of the party, rolled it over dead. 



// DWELLER IN Till-: MARSHES. 



223 



The Indian Buffalo. 

In India the Buffalo has been very much reduced in numbers by the 
hunter, but a few yet remain in wild and jungle-covered regions. The 
Indian Buffalo is about the same size and shape as the African variety, but 
its horns are much longer, and their spread is tremendous. When measured 
in the curve, from tip to tip, they have been frequently found to exceed 
twelve feet. 

Like all the Buffaloes, they love swampy places, where they can wallow 
in the mud and lie in shallow pools, with only their heads and great horns 







g^gfi B^ sgwi^^^ 



INDIAN BUFFALO. 

The horns of the Indian Buffalo are larger than those of any other variety. It is a water-loving animal, and will remain 

for hours in muddy pools with only its head visible above the surface. Height at 

the shoulder about $}4 feet; color brown. 

showing above the surface of the water. They remain almost motionless 
in their cool retreat, and are scarcely to be distinguished from the tufts of 
grass and reeds which grow in such marshy places. 

Nothing is more startling to an inexperienced traveller than to pass by 
a silent and tranquil pool, the muddy surface of which is unbroken, except 
by a number of black lumps and rushy tufts, and then to see these tufts 
suddenly change into twenty or thirty huge beasts, which rise out of the 
still water as if by magic. 



224 



THE YAK. 



The Yak, or Grunting Ox as it is sometimes called, from the peculiar 
sound it makes resembling the grunt of a pig, is found in the mountains 
of Thibet. To enable it to withstand the severe cold of the elevated 
regions in which it lives, the Yak is covered with a very heavy coat of 
soft, woolly hair. This warm covering is usually black and white in color, 
but it is sometimes pure white, which, together with the large size and 
spreading horns of the animal, gives it a very imposing appearance. It is 




YAK = Thibet. 



This species of wild ox lives upon the mountain ranges and high table lands of Western Thibet. In size it nearly equals the 
domestic ox ; the color of its long, silky hair varies from black to white. 

tamed, and used as a beast of burden by the people of the countries in 
which it is found. 



The Musk-Ox lives far up in the Northern regions, and crops the sparse 
herbage of the bleak and desolate plains which border on the Arctic Ocean, 

During the long winters of this part of the world, he must dig away 
the snow which covers the tufts of grass and moss, before he can find even 
that scanty fare ; and when night comes on, his only bed is among the 



whirling drifts. 



THE OX OF THE FAR NORTH 



225 



To lU lum for ufe in such a desolate place, he carries ^ "f*^* 




MUSK-OX; Arctic Regions. 

only is the flesh of the Musk-Ox used for food, but their skin makes the 
warmest kind of a bed. 

Hunting the Musk-Ox. 
When a party of native hunters happen to find the fresh track ^Musk- 
Oxen, there's a great stir in the camp; they run to and fro and examine 
the marks, while the oldest hunter gives his opinion as to the d.rcct.on 



226 A MUSK-OX HUNT. 

taken by the game. This being settled, the dogs are caught and harnessed 
to the sledges, the hunters crack their long-lashed whips, and away they 
go as fast as the dogs can gallop. 

When the tracks show that the game is near, the hunters stop, and un- 
fasten the sledges, but do not let the dogs run entirely free. They are 
strong pullers and the hunter needs their help in going the rest of the 
way ; so he fastens the long, leathern sledge trace around his waist, and 
with gun in hand sets out to follow the trail to the end. 

The dogs start off with a rush, so anxious are they to reach the game. 
Usually, they are not fed on the day before a hunt, because the hungrier 
they are, the more eagerly will they follow the trail, and the more bravely 
will they fight when the game has at last been brought to bay. 

Away rushes the fierce pack, dragging the hunter so rapidly over the 
frozen drifts that he can scarcely stay upon his feet. He puts forth his 
best efforts to keep up, and runs with all his might, for well he knows 
that if he should fall, his wild steeds will not wait for him to rise again, 
but will drag him along, over the snow and rough pieces of ice, until he 
is bruised and sore. 

After running for a mile or more the herd of Musk-Oxen is discovered 
ahead. They see the hunters at the same time, and at once turn and 
begin to gallop away. Now is the time to loosen the dogs ; with a skillful 
twist the hunter unfastens a slip-knot, letting them rush forward with 
redoubled speed, and the herd is soon overtaken and brought to bay. 

It is the nature of these oxen of the North, to form a circle when 
attacked, so that they can repel with their sharp horns an enemy upon 
every side. While this is, no doubt, a very effective way of defending 
themselves when only dogs or wolves are to be beaten off, it does not 
avail them against human foes. On the contrary, the habit makes it easy 
for the hunters to shoot down almost the entire herd. 

Even should they be without guns, the hardy and courageous Eskimo 
does not hesitate to approach the threatening array of horns. Watching 
his opportunity, he rushes, knife in hand, between the hairy bodies of the 
excited beasts, and once inside the circle, deals fatal stabs right and left, 
with his sharp weapon, until many of the oxen are down. 

The battle over, the tired hunters pack the hides, horns, and flesh of 
the slaughtered oxen upon their sledges, and slowly return to their 
snow village, where both men and dogs feast royally upon the proceeds 
of their successful hunt. 



THE DEER, 



227 




PAMPAS DEER; South America. 

This is a small species, under 3 feet in height at the shoulder; color reddish-brown. It is found in the open country, upon the 

pampas (or prairies), from which it takes its name. 



The Deer. 

The animals of the Deer tribe are widely scattered over the whole 
world. Most of them are distinguished for their light and graceful bodies, 
slender, sinewy legs — which, however, can carry them over miles of rough 
country at a wonderful rate of speed— and for their small, beautiful heads, 
adorned with sharp-pointed, branching antlers. The female Deer are not 
usually supplied with these ornamental weapons, but in some varieties, as 
in the Reindeer, the does, as well as the bucks, have horns. 

A distinguishing feature of the Deer family is, that they shed their 
antlers every year. The old pair usually drop off at the beginning of 
Spring, and soon afterward the new ones commence to grow. 

There are few things in nature more curious than the growth of a deer's 
horns. When the buck is two years old, he gets his first pair, which con- 
sist merely of spikes, about six inches long. These fall off in the Spring, 
leaving the peculiar, porous base ready for the growth of a larger pair. 



228 HOW DEER GET THEIR HORNS. 

If the animal is healthy, and the conditions of the locality favoraDie, 
each annual shedding is succeeded by a pair of horns of increased size. 
The base, or foundation grows broader and more solid every year, and 
the " spike " horn forms a " tine." As age increases, the horns become 
antlers, and the tines not only enlarge and lengthen, but become more 
numerous until the deer reaches the prime of its existence. Each season's 
growth is quite rapid, for if the young horns should sprout in the month 
of April, they are usually sufficiently hard beneath their downy skin to 
commence to peel in August. 

When the new antlers first make their appearance in the Spring, they 
consist of a pair of knobs, which can only just be seen projecting from the 
head of the buck. These are covered with dark skin, and usually a scar 
in the centre of each, marks the place from which fell the horns of the 
previous year. 

As the weather becomes warmer, the knobs grow longer and are filled 
with blood, which is supplied by special vessels, developed only at this 
season. Soon other sprouts shoot out from the main stems and gradually 
take the form of tines, until at last the perfect shape of the antlers appears. 

Although the form is now complete, the structure has not yet hardened 
into bone. It is overlaid by the same soft skin as the knobs were when 
they first showed themselves. This skin is covered with short silky hair, 
which, from its texture and appearance, has received the name of " velvet " — 
the stag's horns are said to be in the velvet when they are still soft. 

During this period the buck is very careful of his new head-gear, 
and timidly retires to the quiet solitudes of the deep forest, apparently 
knowing full well that he cannot yet depend upon his natural weapons for 
defense. The growing horns are also very sensitive, and the deer does 
not like to push his way through tangled thickets. Moreover, should any 
injury befall them at this time their shape would be spoiled. 

When at last the growth of the antlers ceases, the bone gets thoroughly 
hard, the small veins dry up, and the downy skin, or velvet also becomes 
dry and leathery. Soon the hard bone can be seen here and there, in 
places where the velvet has peeled away. 

The deer now begins to rub his antlers against young trees, and threshes 
them about among the bushes and undergrowth, so as to free them from 
the ragged shreds of dried skin. The last remaining bits of this irritating 
substance, he boldly rubs off against the rough bark of some old birch, or 
upon any rugged trunk that will most speedily cleanse them. 







RED DEER (Europe). . 

i r i, r„„n These are the Deer which are so carefully preserved in the forests and 



230 



THE STAG SEEKS HIS MATES. 



Soon there is none of it left to mar their beauty, and the lofty, spreading 
framework, of hard and polished bone, rises grandly above his proud head. 

Filled with the glory of his new crowning, the stag advances boldly from 
the solitudes in which he has passed the summer, and as he goes, tries 
the strength of his new weapons by butting at imaginary enemies. 




AXIS, OR SPOTTED DEER; India and Ceylon. 

One of the most beautiful and graceful of the Deer tribe. It is found in herds numbering ioo or more; these usually live in 

thick jungles upon the banks of rivers. It is of medium size, measuring under 4 feet in height at the shoulder; color a rich 

dark brown, completely covered with snow-white spots; the lower parts of the neck and body are also white. 



He will now look about for mates among the does of neighboring herds, 
but he is sure to meet rivals at this time, and desperate battles often take 
place between evenly matched pairs. During these contests the sound of 
their clashing antlers may be heard for a long distance, while now and 
then, by accident, it happens that the many-pointed weapons lock together 




ROE DEER (Europe). 

This little Deer is about the size of an ordinary goat. Color, reddish-fawn; antlers small, with two points, much roughened at the 
base. The Roe Deer is preserved in private parks and forests rather for its beauty than for purposes of sport. It is said, 

however, to be very destructive to growing trees, as it browses upon the tender bark and young shoots. [031] 






232 FIGHTS BETWEEN THE BUCKS. 

so firmly that the rival bucks are unable to part them, strive as they may, 
and thus perish miserably. 

In these engagements the bucks always fight with the utmost fierceness, 
and exert every effort for victory, for the does, though soft-eyed and gentle, 
only admire and follow the successful warrior. The loser of a fight is 
therefore compelled to seek further afield, and tries to join some other 
herd that is watched over by a less powerful leader. 

The principal kinds of Deer found in North America are the common or 
Virginia Deer ; the Caribou ; the Moose ; and the Wapiti — or Elk, as it is 
usually called. 

The Common, or Virginia Deer. 

The first named of these, the Virginia Deer, is found throughout almost 
the whole of the United States. It is one of the shyest, and most diffi- 
cult to approach of all the wild animals that live in the forests of our 
country. Long before the hunter can come within gun-shot, it detects 
his presence, for the faintest scent upon the breeze is sufficient to warn it 
of danger, and will send it flying away with swift leaps and bounds to a 
place of safety. 

Although thousands of these Deer are killed every year, and venison is 
by no means an unfamiliar dainty upon many tables, yet thousands more 
of the wary creatures escape the hunter, and continue to live on in places 
where less watchful or cautious animals would surely all be killed. 

If it were not for the so-called market-hunters, who mercilessly slaughter 
the Deer at all seasons, when they think they are safe from the observation 
of game wardens, and who put dogs upon the track of the poor animals, 
which pursue them with wolf-like ferocity until caught or driven into the 
water — there to be butchered with axe or club by men in boats, the forests 
of our country would be peopled by this graceful, antlered tribe. 

The Virginia Deer was the first game hunted on this continent by white 
settlers; it has always been an object of pursuit, and but for the friendly 
shelter of its forest home, would doubtless, like the Buffalo, have long 
ago become extinct. 

Although the useful Reindeer is an Old World species, and is not 
found in this country, it has a near relation in the Caribou, which lives in 



THE REINDEER AND CARIBOU. 



233 



the cold and barren regions of Northern Canada, and Labrador, and also, 
to some extent, in the Northern States. The Caribou is larger than the 
common Deer and not so gracefully formed; the legs are shorter, the 
body stouter, and in every way the animal is more heavily built, but it is 




REINDEER. 

This useful animal is found in Northern Sweden and Norway ; Finland and Siberia. Harnessed to sledges, it draws the hardy 
Laplander over the snow at great speed ; its milk and flesh furnish him with food and its skin with clothing. A Lap- 
lander's wealth is estimated by the size of his herd of Reindeer. In height this animal stands about 4 feet 
at the shoulder; its color is generally brown, sometimes nearly white. The horns are very long 
and branching, and the hoofs wide-spreading, to support it on the snow. 



a fleet and active creature; able to clear the ground with tremendous 
bounds when alarmed, and in its ordinary movements from place to place, 
keeping up for long distances, and over rough country, a swift and tireless 
trot that would leave a fast horse far behind. 

The hoofs of the Caribou spread widely apart, so as to give it a firm 



234 THE CARIBOU AND THE ELK. 

foot-hold upon the snow. The height of a full-grown, woodland Caribou 
is 4*^ feet at the shoulder, and its weight about 400 pounds. The horns,, 
which are very large and branching, are carried by the does as well as 
the bucks. 

The Caribou, like its well-known relative, the Reindeer of Northern 
Europe, would be able, if harnessed to a sled or wagon, to pull a heavy 
load, but instead of having the Reindeer's gentle nature, it is one of the 
wildest and most untamable of the Deer tribe. Therefore, no attempt 
has been made to train it, much as the people of the far Northwestern 
parts of America need the services of such a strong and quick moving; 
beast. It has even been proposed to import to these regions, from. 
Northern Europe, trained Reindeer, which could be used to draw sleds 
swiftly along, and would require for food only such scanty mosses and 
shrubs as grow upon the bleak, snow-covered plains. 

The Elk, or Wapiti. 

The Wapiti, or as it is usually called, the Elk, though not equalling 
its giant relative, the Moose, in bulk or in stature, is of far more graceful 
shape. It may be said indeed, of this splendid creature, that in nobility 
of form, and spread of branching antlers, it is superior to all other deer,, 
and that it proudly stands a king among its tribe. 

The largest herds of Elk now in existence, are in the Yellowstone 
National Park, where they are protected from marauding hunters. There 
are also many, to be found in the Olympic Mountains of Washington 
and in British Columbia. Old bucks of this species attain a height of 
over five feet at the shoulder, and a weight of eight hundred pounds. 

Before the merciless skin hunter, and foreign sportsman, had reached 
the wild regions of Northwestern America, which is the last stronghold 
of the larger game, the Elk could be seen there in great numbers. Some- 
times herds of over one hundred were found together, and a grand sight 
it was to see so many of these magnificent animals, making their way 
through the forest, under the leadership of some old buck, which could 
compel all the rest of the herd to obey him. 

The Elk is perhaps the fiercest of the deer tribe ; savage fights between 
the bucks often take place, and the weaker are frequently killed by stabs 
from the sharp horns of their stronger rivals. Many a hunter has been 
charged upon and badly hurt by a wounded Elk, for they will not hesitate. 




FALLOW DEER. 



236 THE MOOSE. 

to turn upon an enemy if brought to bay. When hard pressed they will 
plunge into a swift flowing stream ; a pack of hungry wolves has been 
known to force an Elk to seek refuge in the icy waters of a frozen river, 
where it has breasted the current, and escaped in gallant style. 

The Elk lives upon grass, herbs, young shoots of certain trees, and 
moss. The latter it obtains in winter by, digging away the snow with its 
fore feet. Its flesh is remarkably tender and juicy ; and the hide is much 
valued by the Indians, who make from it the softest of hunting shirts, 
which do not harden after being wet, as is the case with the leather that 
is made from the skins of other deer. 



The Moosk. 

The Moose is the largest of all the deer tribe, but is awkward and 
ungainly in form. Its short, heavy neck and body, though mounted upon 
long sinewy legs, give it an ox-like look, far different from the graceful 
and beautiful outlines of most of the deer family. It grows to a great 
size, six feet at the shoulder being not an unusual height for an old bull. 

The horns of the bull Moose are palmated ; they do not consist only of 
round and branching beams and points, as do those of most of the deer 
tribe : they expand into wide, flat or concave sheets of bone, from the 
edges of which short prongs extend. 

Moose live upon the leaves and tender twigs of trees and bushes ; they 
also browse upon various kinds of moss and bark, and do not graze with 
heads lowered to the grass, as their necks are too short to enable them to 
feed easily in that manner. When browsing, the Moose will walk into 
a bush and force it down by pressing against it with its broad breast 
and shoulders, eating all the twigs off as it passes over. Sometimes it 
will reach up to the large limb of a tree and bend it down with the horns 
or nose ; over the bent limb the Moose will throw one fore leg, and 
hold it, as with a hook, until it is carefully trimmed of all the tender 
shoots. 

In the winter they plow through the snow with their broad humped 
noses, in search of plants and ferns, and the cold, white covering does not 
prevent these hardy beasts from finding food. 

The Moose generally lives in the densest forest, and like all the deer 
tribe, is of cautious and retiring habits. In the autumn its usual haunts 
are near some lake, or mossy swamp deep in the woods, where it finds 




AN ELK'S PLUNGE FOR LIFE. 



[237] 



238 THE MOOSE. 

plenty to eat. In the winter, the cows, with the young bulls and calves, 
herd together, and when the snow becomes deep, form what is called a 
" moose yard " — that is, they select a sheltered part of the forest, generally 
upon a hill side, where there is plenty of leafy bushes and young trees, 
and here they tread the snow down continually over a considerable space, 
so that after a while the surrounding unpacked snow is much higher than 
the part under their feet. Thus an embankment is formed around the 
yard, which protects the inmates from the attacks of wolves and bears. 

Here they remain the whole winter, unless discovered by the hunter, 
who, if alone, will only mark the place so that he can find it again, for 
there is no occasion for hurry. The longer the Moose are allowed to live 
undisturbed in the yard, the fatter they will become. There is little or no 
chance of their escaping through the deep snow, unless a sudden thaw 
should take place. At last, when the fatal day arrives, a party of men 
carrying firearms of all kinds, surround the yard and shoot into the herd 
of helpless animals, killing cows and calves alike. 

The old bulls seldom remain with the herd during the winter months, 
preferring to wander about the woods and feed ; but when the snow lies 
deep, they too, are often destroyed in great numbers, both by the settlers 
and Indians, who are able to run quickly on snow-shoes, while the poor 
Moose, with his legs cut and bleeding from the sharp surface-crust of ice, 
through which he sinks at every step, flounders along, and falls helpless at 
last before the hunter, who very often does not take the trouble to fire his 
gun, but strikes the animal on the head with an axe. It is not surprising 
that the Moose are becoming scarce, and that every year fewer of them 
are to be found. But in the forests of Maine and Canada they are still 
occasionally seen. 

Calling the Moose. 
During the autumn the bull Moose utters a loud call to his mate, and 
by imitating the answering call of the cow, a hunter can easily draw him 
within range of his rifle. There are among the Indians, professional callers 
who are very skillful in luring both Moose and other kinds of deer from 
their retreats. A hunter who has spent the winter in the solitary wastes of 
the far Northwest, describes this mode of hunting as follows : — 

Setting out so as to reach the haunts of the Moose before nightfall, we 
made our camp and supped comfortably ; after which, putting on our 
leathern hunting shirts so as to protect ourselves from the frosty night air, 



" 




MOOSE (Northern United States, Canada, and Northern Europe). 

Height at the shoulder averaging six feet ; but, occasionally, giant bulls of still greater size are seen by hunters in the northern 
forests. Color of hair, when in the best condition, almost black, changing to brownish upon the back and under parts. 

[239] 



240 A MOOSE HUNT. 

we plunged into the depths of the forest, just as the moon arose and 
shed her broad, silvery light upon the rocks and trees. Making our way 
along alder swamps, or through clumps of scrub pine, now scrambling 
over logs and fallen trunks, or sinking knee-deep in soft moss that grew 
around old hemlocks, which spread their gnarled branches on every side, 
we reached the entrance of a valley between the hills. 

This was considered, by my Indian guide, as a good place for Moose, 
so looking carefully to the loading of my rifle, I selected a hiding place, 
while the Indian climbed high up into a tree so as to give the sound of 
his calling a wide range. He used in making this call, a piece of birch 
bark, about two feet long, rolled up into the shape of a trumpet. 

Through this rude instrument he sounded a long, deep note which 
echoed far and wide through the still night air. This cry he repeated 
at intervals ; but for nearly an hour there was no reply. I had about 
made up my mind that, either there were no Moose within hearing, or 
that they were too much engaged to listen to the strange music, when 
suddenly I heard the crashing of branches, and the rattling of antlers 
against the trunks of trees — I knew at once that game was afoot. 

Almost immediately after hearing the noise, a deep, hoarse bellow, more 
like a lion's roar than the call of a deer, rose from a patch of alder 
bushes, and to my surprise this was answered by two other animals far 
off, in a different direction on the hill-side. My Indian caller immediately 
changed his note, and putting his hand into the mouth of his trumpet, 
uttered a low and plaintive cry. 

A snapping of brushwood, accompanied by a succession of deep grunts, 
warned us of the near approach of our gigantic game. A moment more, 
and an immense bull Moose, with bristling mane erect, and huge palmated 
horns lowered in readiness for combat, stood before me, sniffing the air 
with his wide nostrils, and tearing up the ground with his hoofs. As 
the pale light of the moon shone upon him, he appeared to be of gigantic 
size. 

I felt the blood coursing quickly through my veins, and my heart 
thumped hard against my ribs, as I noiselessly raised my rifle, and aiming 
at his fully exposed and brawny chest, fired a right and left shot. The 
sound of the reports had scarcely died away, when I heard a heavy fall, 
followed by a slight struggle — then all was still. 

I was about to rush from cover and examine the spoils, when the bel- 
lowing of a second Moose sounded close at hand. Hastily reloading, I 




WOLVES ATTACKING A WOUNDED MOOSE. 



1241] 



242 A MOOSE HUNT. 

remained in my hiding place, peering eagerly in the direction of the new 
comer, while the Indian in the tree continued to send out low, moaning 
noises, in imitation of the sound made by the cow Moose when browsing. 

Some minutes passed and there was no response ; I began to think 
that, forewarned of danger, he had stolen away — when suddenly, a great 
animal rose directly behind me ; the first intimation I had of his presence 
being the snort of defiance that comes before a headlong rush. 

I was, however, fully prepared and quickly putting my rifle to my shoulder, 
let drive a shot at his head, which stopped his advance and brought him 
down upon his knees. Before he could regain his feet, a second shot 
through the chest stretched him lifeless at my feet. He had evidently 
made a long round, so as to get well to leeward of our position. Fortu- 
nately, as there was hardly any breeze stirring, he had not scented us 
until within a short distance, when he charged with scarcely a moment's 
delay. 

Sending the Indian to the nearest settlement, to get people to carry in 
the venison, I made a big fire, and rolling myself up in my buffalo robe, 
slept until morning, when I was awakened by a pack of coyotes, or small 
wolves, which had scented the meat and were kept at a distance only by 
the fire. Soon after daybreak a party of settlers came up, and the venison 
was divided ; I kept one of the heads as a trophy, it having splendid 
antlers, with eighteen points, weighing nearly fifty pounds. 

Following the Moose on snow-shoes, over the deep snow, that covers 
their feeding grounds in the winter months, is a mode of hunting followed 
by the northern tribes of Indians, and also by the white settlers. 

The long hair of the Moose forms the warmest kind of a covering and 
protects it from the cold, so the animal is able to lie down and sleep 
comfortably upon the surface of the snow. 

In following their tracks, the places where- they have thus rested can 
readily be seen, which, together with their paths to and fro, form traces 
that can easily be followed. Altogether, the great beast has many enemies 
and is being crowded slowly, but surely, back into the most remote parts 
of the northern wilds and must, even there, soon become scarce. 



ANTELOPES, 



243 



;*"■• 




PRONG-HORN ANTELOPE; Western North America. 

Height 3 feet ; color yellowish-brown above, white below. These animals are common upon the slopes of the Rocky Mountains ; 
they are among the swiftest of American game, and when alarmed fly across the plain with wonderful speed. 



Antelopes. 

Most of the Antelopes look a good deal like deer, and resemble them 
in many of their ways, but for all this they belong to very different tribes 
and in some things are not at all alike. 

For instance, the Antelope does not shed its horns like the deer, once 
every year, but like the goats, and oxen or cows, the same pair lasts all 
through life. These horns continue to grow as long as the Antelope lives, 
and often show the age of the animal carrying them, by rings, or knobs 
on the bone. 

Each variety of Antelope has differently shaped horns ; some are nearly 
straight, others are twisted like corkscrews, or bent like hooks ; in fact there 
seems to be no end to the strange shapes and forms which they take. 



244 



THE PRONG-HORN ANTELOPE. 



In the western part of our country, on the " rolling prairies " or " foot- 
hills ", where the Rocky Mountains first break the level of the plain, the 
prong-horned Antelope may often be seen. Although not very large — a 
full-grown buck standing but three feet high, it is of a most elegant and 
graceful shape, and is able to bound across the prairies with wonderful 
speed. They can also swim very well and occasionally, a herd when 




NILGAU; India. 

One of the largest of the Antelopes. Height at the shoulder about 5 feet; weight 600 pounds; color of male, bluish-gray; 

female brown. In some parts of India these Antelopes are very numerous, and cause much loss to the natives by 

trampling their fields of grain at night; the Hindus will seldom kill one of them, however, as they 

consider them the same as cows, and therefore sacred. The name means " blue cow." 



startled, takes to the water and may be seen crossing a river in long 
lines, without disorder, and apparently with ease. They not only run with 
great swiftness, but can go up or down hill, as well as along the level 
plain, without any change of gait or showing any indication of tiring. 
Sometimes several hundreds of these graceful creatures may be found 



THE PRONG-HORN ANTELOPE. 



245 



collected together in one herd. Always shy and timid, their large, beautiful 
eyes constantly scan the surface of the prairie, and are sure to see the 
lurking Indian, or wolf, no matter how cautiously he may creep. 

Even if some rock or bush should hide the approach of the hunter, or 
the beast of prey, the keen sense of smell possessed by this Antelope will 
tell him just as certainly of the approaching danger, as if it were in plain 
sight. It is a well-known fact that, when hunting any wild animal, great 




SABLE ANTELOPE; Africa. 

This splendid Antelope stands \Y 2 feet in height at the shoulder; in color it is glossy black, with pure white markings upon the 
face and lower parts. The horns are about one yard long, deeply ringed, and curve gracefully backward, 

ending in exceedingly sharp points. 

care must be taken to approach it " against the wind ", so that no tell-tale 
scent may be carried by the breeze to the sensitive nostrils of the game. 

The Antelope tribe, above all others, is quick to smell danger, and 
the member of the herd to which first comes the warning scent, gives a 
peculiar call ; upon hearing this the whole herd dash away and are soon 
lost to sight. 



246 AXTELOPES. 

The hunter who hopes to have a shot at the prong-horn Antelope is 
often disappointed, for although his rifle may send the bullet a mile, the 
flying animals can only be caught sight of now and then, as they cross 
the raised knolls of the prairie, and in a very few moments the white 
patches on their backs disappear in the distance. 

Large, well trained hounds will often overtake and pull down the An- 
telope ; such dogs are very highly prized in the far west, not only for the 
sport they afford, but from the fact that they can catch wounded animals 
of all kinds, which would otherwise escape. 

The young of the Antelope are born at about the same season as 
those of the common deer, from early in May to the middle of June ; 
the little ones are not spotted with white like the fawn of the deer, but 
are dun-colored, like their parents. The doe remains by her young, of 
which there are usually two, for several days after they are born, feeding 
immediately around the spot where they are lying, and gradually enlarging 
her range. When the little Antelopes have reached the age of two weeks, 
they have gained strength and speed enough to escape, with their fleet- 
footed mother, from wolves or other four-footed foes. 

Sometimes, however, the skulking wolf discovers and attacks the young, 
before they are able to run. At such a time the mother displays the 
most devoted courage in their defense. She rushes upon the enemy, 
butting and striking with her short horns, and sometimes tosses a wolf 
heels-over-head ; she also strikes hard blows with her fore feet, and if 
there are but one or two of the wolves she can generally escape, and 
withdraws in safety, with her little family, to some steep and rocky hill- 
side which affords a secure pasturage. 

The male Antelopes often fight with each other very fiercely ; these com- 
bats usually taking place in the months of September and October. When 
a buck sees another approaching, or should two rivals accidentally meet, 
they rush together, with heads lowered, and eyes flashing angrily. While 
striking with their sharp horns they wheel and bound from side to side 
with the greatest rapidity, often giving and receiving severe wounds. 

The Prong-Horn has a great deal of curiosity. Any very unusual sight 
or sound is apt to lure him onward in the hope of finding out what it 
may mean. This habit of the usually cautious and wary creature, is some- 
times taken advantage of by hunters, who tie rags to the ends of long 
sticks, and wave them gently to and fro, above the grass of the prairie. 

When the Antelope sees, what is to him the most mysterious sight of 




KOO DOO (Africa). 

This splendid animal is the handsomest of all the African Antelopes. In size, color and the remarkable length and shape of its 
llus splendid an a ^ ^ icuous . It stands 5 feet in height at the shoulder. Its coat is mouse-color, with pure 

white stripes ; and the horns, which are over 3 feet in length, are twisted like huge corkscrews. I™ 1 



248 



ANTELOPES. 



his life, he first runs away, but it is only for a short distance ; overcome 
with curiosity to see what the strange signal may mean, he halts, gallops 
to and fro, stamping the ground and snorting, but gradually drawing 
nearer and nearer to the hidden hunter, until he is at last within range, 
and pays for the indulgence of his fatal curiosity, with his life. 




ORYX; Africa. 

This Antelope is found only in certain parts of Africa. It is a medium-sized variety, standing about 2)4 feet in height at the 
shoulder; in color it is a very light gray, with black markings upon the face and back. The horns are jet 
black and can be highly polished ; they are but slightly curved and measure I yard in 
length, ending in exceedingly sharp points. 



When suddenly alarmed or panic-stricken, the Prong-Horn seems to lose 
all sense of the direction in which the danger lies, although the terrifying 
object may be in plain sight. A ranch-owner who has had much expe- 
rience in hunting western game says : — 

I once tried to creep close up to a herd of about twenty Antelopes, 



ANTELOPES. 



249 



which were quietly feeding on a grassy slope, affording me but little shelter 
from their watchful eyes. Finally, I was obliged to stop for fear of alarming 
them, and cautiously rising behind a little hill, aimed at the leader of the 
herd and fired. 

Supposing concealment now to be useless, I leaped up on the top of 
the hillock to see the effect of my shot. To my great disappointment, the 
bullet merely knocked up the dust to the right of the master buck. 




WATER-BUCK; Africa. 

This handsome Antelope is of large size, standing slightly over 4^ feet at the shoulder, and attaining a weight of about 600 
pounds ; in color it resembles the common red-deer. The ringed horns show a double curve, bending back- 
ward at the base and curving forward again at the points. It is generally found near 
rivers and is apt to plunge into the water if alarmed. 

Away went the band with the speed of the wind, while I stood on my 
hill and regretfully watched their flight. But suddenly, to my surprise, 
after running about a hundred yards, they halted and faced about into 
line, looking almost like a company of cavalry ; the brown and white facings 
on their necks and heads, answering for the soldiers' uniforms. 



250 AFRICAN ANTELOPES. 

In another moment they clashed forward at full speed, and to my intense 
astonishment, bore directly down in the direction of the little hill upon 
which I was standing. They continued straight onward until they reached 
its base, and there the band separated into two parties, which passed on 
either side of me, only fifty yards distant, thus giving me an opportunity 
to fire twice and bring down a pair of fine bucks, before the herd had 
passed out of range. 

The western cow-boy of former days could get many a snap shot at the 
Antelope, as he rode among the out-lying cow camps, and happened by 
chance upon the herds. Occasionally a regular hunt would be made, and 
the wary game secured by fair stalking, and accurate shooting. It was fre- 
quently necessary for the hunter to crawl for half a mile, without allow- 
ing his head to appear above the grass, in order to get within range of , 
the sharp-eyed creatures. 

The method of hunting the prong-horn Antelope which is most in 
favor, is with greyhounds, the hunters themselves being mounted upon 
wiry little cow-ponies which are urged to their utmost speed by whip and 
spur, while far ahead the swift greyhounds, and their hardly less fleet prey,, 
dash forward in their last desperate race for life. 

African Antelopes. 

It is in Africa that Antelopes are found in the greatest numbers. The 
Sable Antelope ; the Koo-Doo ; the Oryx ; the Water-Buck ; the 
Addax and many other varieties roam in immense herds over the bound- 
less pasture lands of that great continent, and their tender flesh forms 
not only the principal food for man in those regions, but also for the 
wild beasts of prey. 

Beautiful in form, varied in coloring, and countless in numbers, the 
African Antelopes have long been celebrated among hunters and explorers 
for the opportunities they afford the skillful marksman, who is rewarded not 
only by a needful supply of meat for his followers, but can also preserve 
as a trophy the beautiful head, with its strangely shaped antlers, which 
take a high polish and serve in after years as mementoes of the chase. 

A hunter and explorer, who has spent much of his life in the wilder 
parts of Africa, gives the following account of a hunt : — 

I was shooting one day, with my native guide, who was an experienced 



AFRICAN ANTELOPES. 251 

hunter and first-rate tracker. Knowledge of this kind was very necessary 
in that part of the country, for the ground was nearly covered with high 
grass that was not yet dry enough to burn well. During the rainy season 
in Southern Africa, the rank, coarse grass grows to such a height, that it 
would be impossible to travel through it, if some means were not taken to 
clear it away. Accordingly, as soon as it becomes dry, the natives set fire 
to it in all directions, and for a time the ground is left black and bare; 




ADDAX; Africa. 

This Antelope stands 3^ feet in height at the shoulder; color grayish-white with black marking upon the face and back of the 

male. The horns have a slight spiral curve and are about 30 inches long. 

but in that fertile soil, the young blades soon come up and a fresh growth 
of green appears. 

In this place, where I was hunting, there had been several fires started, 
and small patches of ground were cleared, here and there, in which the 
young grass had quickly sprouted and was already growing to the height 



252 



AFRICAN ANTELOPES. 



of several inches. These open spaces, with their fresh green growth, were 
very attractive to the Antelope, and although we could not see for any 
distance ahead, on account of the tall herbage, the many fresh tracks showed 
there was plenty of game not far away. 

I was prowling along, examining the 
signs as I went, when I noticed my 
native guide searching carefully among 
the stems of long grass, which formed 
a thick wall upon each side of our path. 
Upon asking him what he was looking 
for, he declared that he had heard a 
young Antelope cry out and was sure 
it was concealed somewhere near. 

Soon I saw him with his spear 
raised, aiming at some object on the 
ground, a few feet to the right of the 
path. Before I could get near enough 
to see what he had found, a little Ante- 
lope sprang up from the place where 
it had been lying hidden, and raced 
away at great speed. 

The spear at once flew from the 
native's uplifted hand, and striking the 
animal, passed just beneath the skin for 
some distance along the back, there re- 
maining in the wound. The poor calf 
could not go far with this weight, and 
was soon caught by the active guide, 
who pulled out his spear, and finding 
that the young animal was not very 
badly hurt, asked me whether he should 
carry it back to camp alive. At that 
moment the frightened calf gave a loud 
scream and struggled violently to es- 
cape, continuing its calls of distress. 
Soon we heard a rush among the high grass, and looking up, saw 
horns and heads appear above the tall yellow stems, as a herd of Harte- 
beest, leaping as they galloped, tried to see the cause of the cries. 




AFRICAN GUIDE. 



AFRICAN ANTELOPES. 



253 



In less time than it takes to tell it, some ten or eleven large Bubalis 
Antelopes, (called " I Iartebeest " by the Dutch settlers), frantically rushed into 
the path and charged direct upon the native, who was kneeling down, 



with his arms around the strusfSflinsf calf. 



Hastily raising my rifle, I fired right and left within twenty yards, 
knocking over the leader upon the spot, and stopping the onward rush of 




BUBALIS; OR " H ARTEBEEST ; " Africa. 

The most common of the larger African Antelopes ; height at the shoulder nearly 5 feet ; weight about 600 pounds ; color bright 

chestnut. Although large and rather heavily built, it is one of the swiftest of the African Antelopes. Its name, 

" Hartebeest," is given it by the Dutch settlers and literally means "hard beast" to kill, as only 

a well-directed rifle ball will pierce its tough hide and stop its flight. 



the herd, which turned aside, leaving another of their number lying on 
the ground, the spoils of my second barrel. I reloaded quickly and fired 
a third shot, as they disappeared among the tall grass from which they 
had made their gallant charge to save the calf. 

The Antelopes had evidently expected to find that the young one was 



254 



AFRICAN ANTELOPES. 



being attacked by some wild animal, and hoped to rescue it by advancing 
in full force. 

We found the two dead Hartebeest without any difficulty; they w r ere 
both fine bulls, the leader particularly having a splendid pair of horns, 
covered with deeply marked rings at the base, and curving suddenly back- 
ward at the sharp points. They looked like very dangerous weapons, and 
my attendant assured me that the natives were often injured by them 
when following a wounded Bubalis in the high grass. 




COMMON GAZELLE; Africa and Arabia. 

One of the smallest and most beautiful of the Antelope tribe; height about 30 inches; weight 60 to 70 pounds. In color these 

little animals exactly resemble the sands of the desert in which they live. Fleet, almost as the wind, 

their form is the perfection of grace, and muscular vigor. 



Tying the calf so that it could not escape, we now started after the 
remainder of the herd. I urged my native attendant to be a little 
careful in approaching the animals, as I expected another charge, but he 
seemed to have such perfect confidence in my rifle, that the advice, as it 
afterward proved, was thrown away. Seeing a fine bull Antelope standing 
on a little hillock with only his head and neck appearing above the high 







i:Mmj^smm^mm£^'"'yiwA 



ELAND (South Africa). 

Height at shoulder 5 feet 6 inches ; color, yellowish-brown. Of all the Antelopes this is the most Ox-like, and is greatly y 
lor its hide and flesh. It has been much hunted, and is no longer found near the Cape of Good Hope or the 
settled colonies of extreme South Africa, but lives in the desert to the north and west. 



lued 

[255] 



256 



AFRICAN ANTELOPES. 



grass, we quietly advanced to within seventy-five yards of the unsuspect- 
ing animal, and crouching behind an ant-hill, I took very careful aim at 
the centre of the neck. The shoulder would have been the proper mark, 
but the head and neck only could be seen. 

Waiting until the mark I was aiming at was perfectly still, I pulled the 
trigger. The head disappeared at once, but to my surprise, a herd of 
fifteen or twenty of the same animals dashed away from some" high grass 
and bush, about one hundred yards distant, and I fired my remaining 




BLACK-BUCK- Africa. 

One of the most beautiful and graceful of the African Antelopes. Owing to its cautious, watchful nature and great swiftness of 

foot, it is very difficult to approach ; all the hunter's skill and patience are required to get within gun-shot of it. 

The horns are about 2 feet in length and contain three or four spiral, cork-screw-like turns. In 

height, the Black-buck stands a little over 2]/ z feet at the shoulder; color brownish - 

black above, white below. 

barrel at the last of the herd as they disappeared amid the dense yellow 
growth. 

On going up to the bull I had first fired at, we found him lying dead ; 
therefore, as nothing had fallen to my other bullet, we examined the 
tracks, and soon discovered blood upon the grass, in such quantities that 
it was certain the wounded Hartebeest could not have travelled very far. 

Accordingly we followed up the well-marked trail, the native leading, 
with his spear held ready to strike. The grass was so dry that it rustled 



A FRICAX AXT/C/.OPKS. 



Ibl 



as we brushed through it, and there would be no ehance of our surprising 
the game. Twice we heard the Hartebeest rush away as we came near 
it. so we knew that we were getting close. 

The native was leading at a rapid pace, considering the long tangled 
grass through which we were passing, when suddenly he hurled his spear; 
but at the same instant, the wounded Antelope charged directly down 
upon him, the spear sticking in its side. The sharp curved horns were 
lowered threateningly, and I thought for a moment that the man would be 




GNU; South Africa. 

Height about 4 feet at the shoulder ; color black, with gray mane and tail ; the horns are about 20 inches in length, 

broad at the base, and shaped like hooks. 

pierced by them, but he jumped nimbly aside, and the animal, turning to 
follow him, presented his full side to my rifle. I aimed at the centre of 
the shoulder and the Hartebeest fell. The native thought this great fun, 
and laughed heartily as he returned to where the game was lying. But if 
there had been no rifle to stop the charge of the desperate beast, it might 
have been no laughing matter, as the spear had made but a slight wound. 
We now had four large Antelope and a calf, as the result of the day's 
shooting. As this was all the meat that would be required for a week 



258 THE CHAMOIS. 

to come, even by the big feeders among our many camp followers, I 
did not pursue the herd, but gave directions to dispose of the game 
that we had already secured, and retired to my hut, to enjoy an hour's 
well-earned rest. 

When my men brought in the meat, they asked what should be done 
with the calf we had captured alive. Hoping it might be tamed, I had 
the young animal carefully tied by a long piece of rope, in the shade of a 
large tree that stood near our camp, but as it steadily refused to eat, I 
saw that it would soon die, so upon the following day had it released. 

The Gnu is the strangest looking, as well as the ugliest of the Antelope 
family. It looks more like a horse than an antelope, and in fact is some- 
times called the horned horse. 

They are not found in such large herds as some of the other Antelopes, 
and as their flesh is worthless they are not much hunted. They can run 
very fast and have a habit of prancing and kicking most furiously when 
suspicious of danger; from this the Dutch settlers call them the "Wilde- 
beest." 

The Chamois. 

One of the most famous of the Antelopes is the Chamois, which lives 
far up on the bare and rugged sides of the highest mountains of Europe. 

It would seem that the narrow, stony ledges of the Alps, whose lofty 
summits tower thousands of feet above the level of the sea, would be a 
very unlikely place to find herds of Antelope, yet here lives this active 
little creature, asking nothing better than to dwell undisturbed upon the 
barren, wind-swept rocks. 

Nature has specially fitted the Chamois for their life, almost among the 
clouds. They are wonderfully sure-footed and agile ; leaping across chasms 
so deep, that we would tremble to look over them, yet always alighting 
safely on the other side, though the points of rock may be so small that 
all four little hoofs must be put close together to find a resting place. 

Hunting these little animals is perilous work, but the hardy mountaineer 
who has lived all his life amid the dangers of this wild region, can creep 
along the very edge of dreadful precipices with as steady a foot as the 
Antelopes themselves, and, in his way, is quite as wonderful a climber. 

Leaving his little cottage in the early morning, the hunter ascends the 
mountain-side. An old-fashioned muzzle-loading rifle is slung by a strap 




CHAMOIS (European Alps). 

Heieht at the shoulder, 2 feet 6 inches; length, about 3 feet; color, brownish-red The Chamois is scarce in the Swiss Alps ; but 
Height at tne snoui , com _ m0 n in Austria, where they are more carefully preserved. L^ y J 



260 THE CHAMOIS. 

from his shoulders, so that it leaves his hands perfectly free, for he will be 
sure to need them in the narrow passes through which he must track his 
wary game. He also carries a bag in which is a spy-glass, drinking cup, 
ammunition, and food sufficient for a scanty meal or two ; for he may be 
gone a long time. In one hand he carries his alpine-stock ; this is a 
stout staff, with an iron-shod point at one end, and very often ornamented 
at the other by the small, black-curved horn of a Chamois that he has 
slain on some former chase. 

The hunter steadily climbs up the mountain, until he reaches some 
high point of rock which commands a view in all directions. Here the 
spy-glass comes into use, and with it he scans all the surrounding slopes. 
He may see nothing from his lofty station, and then must climb to other 
dizzy heights ; but at last he spies a few dark objects feeding in a 
sheltered nook, and knows they are the Chamois he is seeking. 

Down some path, perhaps trodden only by himself, he then takes his way, 
careful that neither foot nor alpine-stock makes the slightest sound, or sets 
the stones a-rolling. He is very fortunate, if, by the time he has come within 
range of the game, they have not taken warning, by some slight noise, 
or faint scent borne upon the breeze, and bounded away to a still more 
elevated perch. Even when the hunter gets near to the Chamois and 
fires, he may only wound it, and then comes a dangerous chase along the 
ledges and stony passes of this lofty hunting ground. 

When at last he overtakes the wounded creature, he rushes upon it, and 
with his hunting knife quickly puts an end to its struggles, then, throwing 
it over his brawny shoulders, starts on the toilsome and dangerous descent. 

If in his pursuit of the swift-footed game, he has reached the most danger- 
ous heights of the mountains, he will not be able to carry away the whole 
carcass, but can only take the skin and head as a trophy of his skill and 
daring, leaving the remainder upon the rocks to be devoured by the 
hungry vultures. 

It is needless to say that the Swiss chamois hunters are hardy, brave 
and ready at expedients in the presence of danger. They are good 
judges of the weather, too, upon the character of which, the life or death 
of those who ascend to these great elevations may sometimes depend. 

These men, therefore, make the most valuable and trustworthy guides 
for mountain climbers, and without their aid and experience, it would 
have been impossible to fully explore the cloud-piercing summits of the 
Alpine range. 




^^SIS^^SBSS®! 






THE FATAL SHOT. 



[261] 



262 



WILD SHEEP. 




BIG-HORN j Western North America. 

Height of full-grown ram 3'4 feet at the shoulder; weight 350 pounds. The ewes average one-third smaller, and have horns only- 
six inches long. Color light, reddish-brown in summer, changing to gray in winter. The enormous horns of the male, 
from which the animal takes its name, measure nearly 3 feet in length (around the curves), and 16 inches in 

circumference at the base. 



Wild Sheep and Goats. 

Upon the lofty mountain ranges of different parts of the world live 
many kinds of wild sheep and goats. These creatures leap and climb 
about upon the steep sides of their desolate, rocky homes, and feed upon 
the scanty grass and moss which grows within the sheltered clefts. 

All these mountain-dwelling animals are wonderfully active and strong, 
with such firmly knit bodies and sinewy, muscular legs that they can run 
swiftly up and down the steep faces of the cliffs, and find safe pasturage 
close to the brink of terrible precipices which tower thousands of feet above 
the plain. 

The Rocky Mountain Sheep, or Big-Horn, as it is commonly called, is 
the only American species of mountain sheep. Although by no means 
plentiful it is found over a considerable extent of country, ranging from 



117/./) SHEEP. 



263 



Southern California, to Alaska. Like all the cliff-dwellers it is so nimble 
and sure-footed, among the peaks and crags of its native heights, that the 
skill of the hunter is taxed to the utmost to get within rifle-range of the 
lofty pasture-grounds upon which it feeds. 

The hunter, indeed, will consider himself very lucky, if, after crawling 
painfully along narrow ledges of rock, he comes within shot of the wary 
game, and finds that it has not taken alarm from some rolling stone, 
or warning scent upon the air, and disappeared as if supplied with wings. 




WILD SHEEP OF TURKESTAN. 

This magnificent species lives upon the great mountain ranges of Central Asia, at an elevation of 16,000 feet above the sea level. It is 

named Ovis Po/ii, after the celebrated Venetian traveller, Marco Polo, who met with it during his adventurous travels in 

the thirteenth century. It is of large size, standing nearly 4 feet in height at the shoulder ; color brown, under 

parts white. The horns of the ram are unrivalled among the sheep tribe for their size, and for 

the bold, open sweep of their curves, which cause the points to stand out on 

each side at a level with the eye. 

Wonderful tales are told about the Big Horn's ability to jump from a 
lofty height, and alight safely and unharmed upon its massive horns, 
which are supposed to receive the shock of the blow, and protect the 
creature from injury. It is hardly necessary to say that such stories as 
these are not true : they have been caused by the unusually large size 
of the horns, together with the wonderful powers as a jumper shown by 
this animal, when escaping from hunters who have followed it to its 
mountain home. 



264 



WILD SHEEP. 



While a flock of Big-Horn are feeding, one of their number usually 
stands guard upon a neighboring cliff, to watch against the approach of 
an enemy : also, when seeking a place to sleep they choose the highest 




MOUFLON ; Wild Sheep of Corsica and Sardinia. 

Height at the shoulder 2^ feet; color grayish-white. The homs of the rams are quite large, and sweep backward in a single curve. 

The ewes are entirely without horns. 



point of land, so that a view can be obtained over a wide range of country, 
thus affording them security against surprise. They are well-grown, muscular 






WILD SHEEP. 



265 



animals, and although not so graceful in form as the antelope, yet they 
will leap from crag to crag, run along narrow ledges, and bound over 
walls of rock, alighting upon piles of jagged stones, ten, or even fifteen 
feet below, with a courage and sureness of foot that will command the 
admiration of all who can see them in their wild retreats. 

A full-grown, Big-Horn ram weighs about three hundred and fifty 
pounds ; instead of wool it has a heavy coat of stiff, coarse hair, of a light 



W\ >\'"V ' 




MANED SHEEP OF THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS; Northern Africa. 

Height at the shoulder 3 feet ; color reddish-brown. This animal is in some respects more like the goat than the sheep. It lives 
among the rocky crags of the Atlas mountains. Its coat is woolly, except upon the chest and shoulders, which are covered 
with a curious mane of long, coarse hair. The horns are lona\ broad at the base, and have but little curve. 



brown color in summer, and turning to gray in the winter; in height it 
measures about three feet six inches at the shoulder. 

The great, curved horns of the bucks, which have caused this species 
to be given its popular name, are its most remarkable feature. Large 
specimens have been found to measure sixteen inches around at the base, 
and a yard in length. The horns of the ewe are small, seldom measuring 
more than six or eight inches from base to tip. 



266 WILD SHEEP. 

Unlike the antlers of the Deer tribe, which are made of close-grained, 
solid bone from base to point, the horns of the Sheep, Goat and Antelope, 
as well as those of Oxen and Cows, are hollow, or at least, filled with soft 
and spongy material throughout the greater portion of their length. 
Although these kinds of horns look very heavy and hard, their polished flint- 
like surface is merely a shell, which covers the softer, central core. Owing 
to this structure they do not weigh as much, in comparison with their bulk, 
as the more slender, but solid antlers of the Deer. 




ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT. 

Weight about loo pounds ; color white. The coat consists of fine wool mingled with long, straight hair. There are but few of our native 

animals of which so little is known as the Goat of the Rockies. Solitary in its habits, it lives upon the bleak and barren 

mountains of far Northwestern America. It is of a most shy and wary nature, and the hunter who would 

successfully stalk them must climb to their lofty retreats, armed with a good rifle, and prepared 

to encounter great exposure and hardship. 

There are many varieties of wild sheep found throughout the world. The 
largest are those which live on the great mountain ranges of Central Asia. 

Owing to the rugged nature of the country in which most of these 
large breeds of wild sheep are found, little is known of their habits, but it 
is certain that in these they closely resemble the Big-Horn, of this country. 
They are all strong-limbed, sure-footed animals, and graze upon the grass 



WILD GOATS. 



267 



and moss, among the shelving rocks of their native mountains, with as 
much contentment and security as the tame herds of the farmer, upon the 
level plain. 



The many different kinds of Wild Goats, which share with the wild 
sheep their dangerous pasture grounds upon the high mountains of the 
world, are mostly long-horned, hardy fellows ; some of them looking but 




WILD GOAT OF PERSIA. 

The horns of this species are probably larger, in proportion to the animal carrying them, than those of any other goat. In size of body 

the Persian Goat resembles the domestic variety. Its neck is short and strong, to bear the weight of the enormous 

horns ; in color it is usually brown. Attempts have been made to trace the descent of the domestic goats from 

this variety, but it is probable that the different breeds of tame goats have descended from 

ancient species which have long ago become extinct. 

little like the goats we are accustomed to see, but resembling them in 
their fondness for climbing about upon steep places, which all goats, wild 
or tame, seem to possess alike. 

The Ibex, of the Alps, is one of these wild species which is most cele- 
brated for its size and strength. Its horns tower above its head to a height 
of three feet, and are so large and heavy, and so completely covered 
with knobs or rings, as to look as if made for an animal twice its size. 



268 A HUNT ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP. 

A hunter who has followed the Ibex to the dizzy heights where it dwells, 
thus describes the difficulties and dangers which he encountered. 

Hunting the Ibex. 

After hours of scrambling, over boulders of rock and across beds of 
hard, frozen snow, which streaked the sides of the mountain in places 
sheltered from the wind, we came to the brink of a precipice, over which 
our guide cautiously peered. He at once began to wriggle backward with 
a lighting up of the face, showing as plainly as words could have spoken 
it, that the Ibex were in sight. 

When he joined me he said that he had seen three of the animals ; one 
of them a buck with fine horns, and that he could lead me around by 
another path to a place where I could get a shot. 

After a hard climb we came to a huge level slab, beneath an overhanging 
cliff. I looked over the edge and found an ample reward for my labors, 
for there just below, about two hundred feet distant, were the buck Ibex and 
two does which the guide had first discovered. Although the distance 
which separated me from them was not great, the slab of rock on which 
I was standing was so smooth and sloping, that I could hardly keep my 
feet while bringing my long-barrelled rifle slowly forward, to point it at the 
unsuspecting buck, feeding just below. 

As soon as I felt myself firmly planted on the slanting rock, and had 
taken good aim, I gave a low whistle. The startled buck at once raised 
his head and stood perfectly motionless, with ears erect, as if to catch the 
direction of the sound. Bringing the fine sights of my rifle to bear on his 
fully exposed breast, I pulled the trigger. The moment the smoke cleared 
away, to my great delight, I saw the buck floundering on his back, with his 
four legs pawing the air. Fearing that he would, after all, escape I fired 
again, after which he rolled over and lay perfectly still. If I had been armed 
with a breech-loading, or repeating rifle I could have killed a doe, as they 
were so panic stricken, at the fall of their leader, that it .was some moments 
before they dashed off. I was quite satisfied, however, with having killed 
a buck Ibex, one of the rarest and most wary animals in Europe. 

Although my aim had been true and the game lay dead where it had 
fallen, I doubt whether I should have obtained the horns and skin, had it 
not been for my stalwart guide Guiseppe, who, knowing the ground, soon 
found a narrow path by which we could descend to the place where the 
herd had been feeding. 



A HUNT ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP. 269 

\s it was, we had to use the axe several times to cut steps in the steep 
slope, and to knock away the icicles formed by the drippings from the snow 




IBEX; European Alps. 

Height 3 feet at the shoulder ; color gray. The remarkable horns of this animal are about I yard in length. It lives upon the rocky slopes 
and ledges of lofty mountains, and is as shy and difficult to hunt successfully as the Chamois. 

above. At last, however, we reached the place and found the buck lying 
dead among the stones beneath the ledge from which we had climbed. 



270 



HUNTING THE IBEX. 







CASHMERE GOAT; Northern India. 

3 feet in height at the shoulder; color grayish-white. This species is domesticated, and highly valued for its fine coat, which consists of 
both wool and hair. It is the short, fine wool which lies close to the skin that is valuable, and not the longer, outer hair. 
This wool is very soft and silky ; it begins to grow in the autumn, and is in the best condition in the follow- 
ing spring, when it will fall off naturally if not removed. At this season the goats are herded 
together and carefully combed until all the fine wool is collected, and separated 
from the coarser hair. The fleece from a full-grown goat weighs 
only a y 2 pound. It is from this soft, fine wool that 
the celebrated cashmere shawls are 
made. 



Taking the skin, head and bones, but leaving the flesh, as it was too rank 
for food, we made our way safely back again to the foot of the mountain, 
where I showed the spoils of the chase to many admiring friends. 



GNAWING ANIMALS. 



271 




BLACK RAT. 



COMMON BROWN RAT. 



THE RODENT, 
or GNAWING ANIMALS. 

The kind of teeth that an animal has show quite plainly the family to 
which it belongs, and to a certain extent, tell us its habits. Thus the 
Carnivorous, or meat-eating animals, have sharp, pointed teeth with which to 
tear the flesh of their prey. The Ruminant, or cud-chewing animals have 
broad, flat teeth, with rough surfaces, to grind up the grass and leaves 
which form their food. The Rodent, or gnawing animals, such as Rats, 
Mice, Rabbits and Squirrels, have teeth that grow continually during their 
whole lives. These constantly-growing teeth not only enable, but compel 
their owners to gnaw hard substances the greater part of the time, in 
order to keep them ground down to the proper length. 

We may sometimes think that the troublesome Rats, for instance, gnaw 
the wood-work of our houses merely from a love of mischief, or a desire 
to destroy, but this is not so; the creatures are obliged to keep their teeth 
constantly employed to prevent them from growing too long. 



272 



RATS AND MICE. 



Sometimes it happens with animals of this kind, that the upper and lower 
incisors, or cutting teeth, do not properly meet, one of them perhaps, 
having been lost. No longer able to gnaw, the opposing teeth keep 
growing longer and longer, until the unfortunate animal either starves — 
because unable to move its jaws — or is killed by the curved tooth growing 
upward until it pierces the brain. 

Though constantly gnawing hard substances, the cutting teeth of these 
animals are always sharp. This is owing to the front side being covered 
with a thin plate of hard, flint-like enamel, while the inner portion is 




MUSK-RAT; North America. 

Length of body I foot ; tail 8 inches ; color dark brown. The fur is very soft and thick, protecting the animal from the water. 



softer and wears away more rapidly. The ends of the teeth therefore slope 
like the edge of a chisel, the sharp outer edge being hard enamel. 

The animals of the Rodent order are very numerous, and are scattered 
over the whole world. They vary greatly in size — from the tiny mouse, 
to the heavy-bodied Beaver or long-legged Hare ; but most of them are 
small and weak, depending for safety, from their numerous enemies, upon 
their ability to hide in burrows and holes. 

Those with which we are apt to be most familiar, are the Rats and Mice 
which seem to follow man to every part of the world. Even the ship at 
sea, and the dark coal mine, hundreds of feet below the surface of the 



SQUIRRELS. 



273 



ground, are the homes of countless Rats which live and thrive amid these 
apparently unfavorable surrounding's. 

The Common, or Brown Rat is the most numerous. It is not a 
native of this country, but was probably first brought in ships from 
some Eastern land. There is another species of Rat called the Black Rat. 
It is smaller and less numerous than the Brown, which always fiercely 
attacks and kills the Black Rat should it come within its reach. 



The Musk-Rat is a much more 
respectable member of this family, 
for it lives a free and open-air 
life, far from the dwellings of man. 
It makes its home by the side of 
some quiet creek or river, and 
either burrows a hole in the bank, 
in which to place its nest, or if 
the margin of the stream is too 
low and muddy for that, it will 
build a mound of leaves and 
sticks, the upper part of which is 
higher than the level of the water, 
and contains a dry and cosy nest. 

Somewhat like the Rat in shape 
and size, but far more cleanly and 
attractive, are the Souirrels. 

While walking through the woods 
in the summer time a sudden 
scratching upon the bark of a 
neighboring tree may startle us, 

and looking quickly around, we catch sight of a nimble little creature 
running swiftly up the trunk. 

It cunningly prefers to keep on the side of the tree farthest away, until 
it reaches a safe height, when it will sit down upon a limb, in plain view, 
and we see that it is a Squirrel. There it will sit, chattering angrily, until 
the intruder has passed out of sight. 

Among the different varieties of Squirrel, there are three kinds which are 

very common throughout the United States. They are the Gray Squirrel, the 

J 




SQUIRREL. 



274 



HARES AND RABBITS. 



Red Squirrel, and the little striped Chipmunk which can so often be seen 
running along the fence rails, or tops of stone walls. 

Squirrels build nests of leaves and grass, high up in the branches of tall 
trees. Here they pass the winter, snug and warm, with a good supply of nuts 
which they always save from the summer supply. They also make their 

homes in hollow logs and 




holes in the 



ground. 



Hares and Rabbits are 
known the world over, and 
when not so numerous as 
to destroy our gardens and 
fields by their nibbling ways, 
attract every one by their 
soft coats, and timid, graceful 
forms. 

The Hare is larger than 
the Rabbit, with longer body 
and legs. When running, 



long 



leaps 



they both take 
the hind legs being of much 
greater length, and far more 
powerful than the forelegs. 
The creature moves along 
with a succession of hops or 
bounds, varying from one to 
four yards in length. When 
at full speed, the little creature 
scarcely seems to touch the 
ground before it is again in 
air, and in the midst of 
another leap. 
Among the largest of this numerous tribe are the great prairie hares of 

the Western States, or Jack-Rabbits as they are usually called. These 

long-eared, long-legged racers fear no pursuer but the best bred grey-hound. 

Their speed, and the space they clear at every bound is simply wonderful. 
Like most of the larger hares, they do not burrow deeply in the 

ground, but make a nest in a hole or depression, just large enough for 



FLYING-SQUIRREL- North America. 

Total length about io inches; color brown, gray, and white. The fore and 

hind limbs are connected by a thin band of skin which, when stretched by 

the spreading of the legs, resists the air and gives sufficient support to 

the light body of the little animal to enable it to sail downward, 

in a slanting course, from topmost boughs to the lower 

branches of neighboring trees. 



JACK-RABBITS. 



275 



their bodies. These deep nests, together with the surrounding grass, serve 
to hide them completely from the eye. Here the Jack-Rabbit likes to sleep 
during the greater part of the day, not venturing forth into the sunlight 
unless disturbed by some enemy — when, out he will jump, and disappear 
with such a lightning-like rush, as to render breathless with astonishment 
the stranger who may have blundered upon his hiding place. 

In California the Jack-Rabbits are so numerous as to cause great loss 




COMMON HARE. 

This species is found, with variations of size and coloring, in almost all parts of the world except Australia. In North America there 

are several varieties of Hare, the largest being the so-called " Jack- Rabbit " of the prairies. 



to the farmers by eating up the grass, fruit, and growing vegetables. So 
rapidly do they breed, that in one year four litters, each consisting of from 
four to five little ones, are raised by a single pair. 

Great hunts or drives are sometimes undertaken in California, in which 
hundreds of men and boys form in line, and string out over miles of prairie. 
The line travels across the country, the centre moving slowly, the ends 



276 



HUNTING JACK-RABBITS. 



rapidly, until gradually a circle is formed, within which are all the frightened 
hares which have lived on the ground over which the line has passed. 

The hunters draw closer and closer together; soon a leaping, dodging 
mass of Hares is seen. Smaller and smaller grows the circle, until the 
ground in the centre is seen to be so covered with the madly rushing 
Hares as to be hidden from view. At a given signal the clubs are raised, 
there is a shout from the crowd, and the work of slaughter begins. The 
terrified animals rush together in a mass — those underneath being often 

found smothered to death. Blows 
from the clubs fall crashing down- 
ward on the heads and backs of all 
that can be reached, and numbers are 
trampled to death by the hurrying 
feet of the crowd. As many as 
five thousand Jack-Rabbits are fre- 
quently killed in one of these 
drives, and cruel though such 
destruction may seem to persons 
who have not suffered losses from 
their tireless jaws, it is certain 
that this method of hunting is 
necessary to rid the country of 
the nibbling hordes. 

The Rabbit differs from the 
Hare, not only in its shorter, more 
compact body, and smaller size, 
but also in its habit of making 
deep burrows, into which it can 
run if alarmed. Rabbits live in 
large companies, numbering hun- 
dreds, and even thousands. These breed so rapidly, that every year the 
number of the colony increases two, or three fold. In Australia, where 
the Rabbits were first introduced as pets, by the English settlers, they 
have multiplied into a great army which devours not only every green thing 
over thousands of acres, but gnaws the bark from bushes and young trees. 
They have become such a destructive pest that there is a standing reward 
of a large sum of money to the person who may suggest a method by which 
their numbers can be largely reduced. 




RABBIT. 



THE PRAIRIE-DOG. 



211 



The common Wild-Rabbit, so-called, of the United States, is really a 
species oi small hare. Its reddish-brown fur, and white tail are familiar to 
almost every one who has spent a few days in the country, and who has 
been startled to see it bound, almost from under foot, and disappear, in a 
series of jumps, among the neighboring bushes. 

The Marmot, or Prairie-Doc* as it is usually called, lives in large 
colonies on the sandy plains of the far .west. They dig deep burrows 
in the soil, sometimes covering several acres of ground with hillocks 




PRAIRIE-DOGS; Western United States. 

Length of body io inches, tail 4 inches ; color sandy-brown above, yellowish-white below. 



and holes. Each little householder will sit upright at the mouth of his 
burrow, squeaking, or barking his displeasure at any trespasser who may 
draw near, and suddenly disappearing, with a flirt of his tail upon too 
close an approach. 

Prairie-Dogs seem to prefer sandy or gravelly soil for their homes, 
and are consequently often found in the barest and most desolate places. 
Their constant burrowing, under the surface of the prairie, makes unsafe 
footing for horses, as many a rider has found to his cost. 



278 THE GROUND-HOG, OR WOOD-CHUCK. 

The Wood-Chuck, or Ground-Hog as it is commonly called, is one of the 
largest and heaviest of the gnawing animals. It is found, with slight 
variations, in many different parts of the world, Europe and Asia, as 
well as in North America. 

It might be thought strange that a wild animal of the size of the 
Wood-Chuck, should still be found in such numbers in our thickly settled 
Eastern States; especially, when it is considered how many enemies he 
makes by his destructive appetite for grass, clover, early vegetables, and 
indeed every green thing that may be near his burrow. One reason 
for his continued presence, is the secure home that he makes for himself, 
deep down in the ground, often beside, or under some big rock or 
boulder, which will save him from being dug out. Then also, the Wood- 
Chuck is a most watchful and cautious creature, never venturing far from 
his hole, unless quite sure that no enemy is near. 

His favorite pastime seems to be to sit erect and motionless upon his 
hind quarters, at the mouth of his burrow, remaining so perfectly still as to 
deceive all but the most experienced eye ; his gray coat and round body 
seeming, at a little distance, to be only a bit of lifeless rock or stone. 

The Wood-Chuck hibernates, or sleeps, all winter in his snug burrow. 
Early in February he is said to come out to look for signs of spring, but 
should he see his shadow on the ground, he turns back for another six 
weeks' sleep. If, however, the sun is not shining on this momentous 
occasion, he is supposed to see no shadow, and consequently stays awake 
to welcome an early spring. 

Of all the gnawing animals, none have stronger or sharper teeth than 
the Beaver; and certainly none shows as much intelligence in using them. 
With their teeth the Beavers can gnaw down trees more than a foot thick, 
and afterwards cut off the branches, and divide up the trunks into suitable 
lengths for floating down stream to their dam. 

In the deep forest that covers the northern part of the State of Maine, 
Beavers can sometimes be found at work. They quickly disappear in the 
neighboring stream, but the result of their labor is, fortunately, not capable 
of such sudden removal, and proves upon examination to be most interest- 
ing; a dozen or more beech trees, ranging from five to ten inches in 
thickness, have been cut down in the most workmanlike manner, thus 
showing how they have been employed. 

The Beaver is at home in the water, and is always found either in, or 




WOOD-CHUCK, or GROUND HOG (North America). 

Animals of this species and showing but slight variation in size and color, are found in Europe and Asia. The American species 

is about 2.%, feet in total length, 6 inches of which is the tail. In color it is brownish-gray, with black marking. [279} 



280 THE BEA VER. 

near a stream. Its house is built of mud and sticks, and looks like a 
great heap of rubbish, six to eight feet high, but inside there is a com- 
fortable room, carpeted with fine chips, grass, and moss, where six or 
seven Beavers can sleep in safety. The doorway of the Beaver's house 
is always under water. There is no entrance on the land side, only a 
burrow leads to its grass-covered chamber ; this burrow opens in the river's 
bank below the surface of the water, so the Beaver must dive down to 
find his front door, and crawl upward along the burrow before he can 
reach the dry floor of his home ; but when once there, he is safe from 
all intruders. 

The dams built by the Beavers are for the purpose of raising the 
water to a height sufficient to cover the entrances to their houses, and 
also — and this is generally the main reason — to obtain sufficient depth of 
water to float down the bark-covered logs, used for food, which are always 
found piled up near their houses, and which are sometimes brought from a 
considerable distance up stream- 

The Beavers beautiful coat of fur has caused him to be mercilessly 
hunted and trapped. Great care and skill must be used in setting the 
trap or the Beaver will not go near it. Down in the water, just before 
the door of his house is the place usually chosen for the fatal snare. The 
pebbles and sand are brushed away and the steel jaws put in place, 
after which the trapper skilfully covers the place with sand and pebbles again. 

The trap is chained to a heavy stone, so when the Beaver is caught by the 
leg he is held under water until drowned. The trappers say that it would 
be useless to set a trap upon the land, for even if caught, the animal would 
at once cut off the imprisoned leg with his sharp, chisel-like teeth, and thus 
escape. 

So keen has been the pursuit of this valuable fur-bearing animal, that in 
this country, it is only in the wildest parts of forest-covered regions that 
any Beavers are to be found. 

The Porcupine is so well protected by its sharp quills which stand 
out a foot from its body, that no animal, no matter how large or fierce 
it may be, dares to touch it. 

When the Porcupine is not disturbed, or angry, its armor-like coat lies flat, 
and close to its back, looking very smooth and harmless. But once let the 
creature be alarmed, its bristling quills are raised up, so that hundreds of 
keen-pointed weapons face the attacking wolf or dog. 




gpffl 



BEAVER (North America, Europe and Asia). 

Length of body, 2 feet; tail, 10 inches; weight, 45 to 50 pounds; the color of the valuable fur is dark brown. The tail is a very 
remarkable feature, being flat or paddle shaped, and covered with scaly, hairless skin. 

[281] 



282 



THE PORCUPINE. 



When attacked, the Porcupine turns its back to the foe, raises its quills 
and places its head between its front paws, uttering all the while a low, 
grunting sound. If the enemy comes nearer the Porcupine tries by a 
backward, or sideways movement to thrust the quills into its body. The 
wounds thus made are very painful, and the quill easily becomes detached, 
remaining in the wound, and causing an inflamed sore. 

The Porcupine, however, is not quarrelsome, but is of shy and solitary 



liS-Cr-- 




CAPYBARA; South America. 

This animal is the largest of the Rodent family, measuring when full grown, 4 feet in total length. Its coat is coarse hair, reddish- 
brown in color and four to five inches in length. The Capybara is never found far from lakes or rivers ; if alarmed it 
at once plunges into the water, where it swims and dives with ease. Its greatest enemy is the Jaguar. 

nature, moving about and feeding principally at night, and living in deep 
burrows in the ground, or in the trunks of hollow trees. There are several 
kinds of Porcupine found in North and South America; the largest is 
the Canadian Porcupine. It is as large-bodied as the European variety 
but has only short spines or quills, an inch or two in length ; these 
are quite buried in the fur, and cannot be seen unless raised for defence. 
The American Porcupines are good climbers, and there is one variety, 
found in South America, which lives almost entirely in the trees. 




LONG-QUILLED PORCUPINE (Southern Europe and Northern Africa). 

Length of body, 2 feet ; tail, 4 inches ; color, black and white. [283} 



284 



THE ANT-EATER. 



' ^ J»> a 1 -^ 




CAPE ANT-EATER; Southern Africa. 

Length from nose to tip of tail \y 2 feet. 



TOOTHLESS ANIMALS. 
THE ANT-EATER. 

Animals of the so-called toothless tribe, although not entirely without 
teeth, do not have any in the front of their jaws, but upon careful exami- 
nation a few molar, or grinding teeth can usually be found in the back part. 
The Ant-Eater belongs to this tribe. 

In some parts of Africa and South America, there are great numbers 
of large ants. These ants do not live in tiny holes, each marked by a 
little mound of sand, as those in this country do. The African Ants build 
great cone-shaped hills of clay, which are taller than a man's head. These 
are filled with hollow cells and chambers in which the ants live. One might 
think they would be quite safe within their earthen home, but the Ant- 
Eater, with its strong claws, is able to tear holes in the clay walls. It 




GREAT ANT-EATER, OR ANT BEAR (Tropical South America). 

Length of body, 4^ feet ; tail, 3 feet ; color, black and gray. 



[285] 



286 



THE ARMADILLO. 



then thrusts its long, narrow tongue, covered with a slimy, sticky substance, 
among the swarming insects, which run toward the hole to defend their nest, 
and draws its tongue back into its mouth completely covered with ants, which 
it quickly swallows. 

The Ant-Bear, as the South American Ant-Eater is generally called, is 
much better looking than its African relative. It has a glossy, black and 
white coat and remarkably bushy tail, with which it is said to cover its 
body when asleep. It moves with a slow and awkward gait, treading upon 
the sides of its fore-paws, as the long curved claws, with their sharp points, 
are used only in tearing down the ant hills, and are, therefore, not to be 
dulled or worn away by contact with the ground. 







GREAT ARMADILLO ; South America. 

Length of body 3 feet; tail 18 inches. 



THE ARMADILLO. 

The Armadillos are remarkable for the hard, bony covering which grows 
upon the upper parts of their bodies, and serves much the same purpose as 
the shell of the turtle, in protecting them from harm. The Armadillos are 
found in South America ; there are several different kinds, varying in length 
from fifteen inches — which is the smallest, to three feet, which is the size of the 
giant Armadillo shown in the picture. Though rather a fierce-looking crea- 
ture, with coat of mail and long, horny claws, the Armadillo is timid and 
harmless, feeding, generally, upon insects and vegetables, but occasionally 



THE ARMADILLO. 



287 



devouring the dead bodies of other animals, which it may find in its midnight 
rambles, — for it usually sleeps by day, and comes out to feed only after the 
sun has set. 

Burrowing in the ground is the chief business in life of the Armadillos, 
and to fit them for this, their claws are very long, and the strength of 
their short, muscular legs so great that, while they are burrowing, the loose 
earth flies backward in a perfect shower, and the animal disappears from sight 
in a few moments after beginning to dig. It has been said of the Armadillo, 
that, like the hyena, it will dig into the graves of men, and devour the 




SiTOtv, 



THREE-BANDED, OR BALL ARMADILLO; South America. 

Length 15 inches; color brown. 

bodies it finds there. The South American hunter, or collector of gum and 
bark, who may die in that dense tropical forest, is therefore buried by his 
companions in a grave lined with timbers or heavy stones, to protect it 
from these night-burrowing, armor-coated beasts. 

The smallest of the Armadillos is called the Ball Armadillo, from its 
strange power to roll itself up into a round ball ; it is then protected on every 
side by its thick horny skin. This is a great advantage to the little creature 
in the wild region where it dwells, for when thus snugly curled up in its hard, 
armor-like coat, neither head nor leg can be seen, and no prowling wolf, or 
other four-footed enemy will care to touch it. 



288 



THE DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS. 




DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS, OR WATER-MOLE; Australia. 

Length of body 20 inches, tail 8 inches ; color dusky brown. The feet are broadly webbed, giving the creature great swimming powers. 

The fur is short and very thick, having, when wet, a fishy odor. 



DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS. 

The last of the Wild Animals which shall be described is the strange, 
Duck-Billed Platypus, or Water-Mole, of Australia. Although it has 
the body and legs of an animal, its nose is like a duck's bill. Singular in 
its habits, as well as in shape, it seems equally at home on the land or in 
the water. When on iand it seldom can be seen, as it lives in an underground 
nest, hollowed out of the river bank. This nest is reached by a burrow, 
twenty to thirty feet long, which has an entrance under the surface of the 
stream, as well as on the shore. 

The Water-Moles swim with ease, and are fond of diving, and paddling 
about in the water. They remain, usually, but a few moments upon the 
surface, and then seek the bottom. When feeding, the bill is thrust into 
the mud and among the roots of water plants. At such times the actions of 
the animal are very much like those of a duck or a goose, when feeding near 
the river bank. 

The bill of the Water-Mole is not made of horn. It is simply a long nose 
covered with hard skin, which overlaps at the sides, forming a fringe. This 
skin is also carried back, nearly to the eyes, in a kind of flap, which aids 
in protecting the face of the creature when forcing its bill into the mud. 



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